Description
Barren Strawberry Waldsteinia fragaroides
QUART POT
Light: Shade to part-shade, dappled
Moisture: Medium
Soil: Tolerates many soils, good drainage
Height: 4–6 inches
Bloom Season: April–June
Bloom Color: Yellow
Notes:
Barren strawberry is a strawberry-like, low-growing evergreen that forms a dense mat of shiny leaves. The trifoliate leaves have coarsely-toothed, fan-shaped leaflets that are up to 2 inches long. The leaves emerge light green in spring, mature to a glossy deep-green in summer, and turn bronze in winter. This plant spreads by runner-like rhizomes just below the soil surface, but is not aggressive.
In late spring, Barren strawberry is studded by small, bright yellow, waxy flowers that are about a ½ inch across. The flowers have five petals and numerous yellow stamens in the center. The blooming season is long-lasting, with just a few flowers open at a time. The blooms are pollinated by small bees and other small insects, followed by tiny non-fleshy (inedible) berries, hence the name “barren.”
Barren strawberry is truly an up-and-coming, native groundcover for shady areas. Use as border edging, under-pinning for perennial gardens, or mass plantings in wooded areas. This plant will grow in a variety of soil types, if the soil is well-drained. It does not like hot summer heat. Once established, it is low-maintenance, tolerates drought and saline conditions, and is deer and rabbit resistant. It may be divided in spring or early fall. Nice as a container plant.
Gallery photos:
Caleb Slemmons, National Ecological Observatory Network, Bugwood.org
