Description
Fragaria – Strawberry –
There are about 12 species of stoloniferous perennial, in this genus. They occur in open woodland, hedgerows, and grassy places in the Northern Hemisphere and temperate areas of Chile. The leaves are 3 palmate and radical, with toothed leaflets. The white, sometimes pink flowers have numerous stamens and carpels, usually 5 rounded petals, and are borne in 2 to 10 flowered cymes, followed by succulent strawberries. Strawberries are grown mainly for their edible, fleshy fruit, some species and cultivars are useful as a groundcover. Grow in a herb garden, as border edging, or in a window box, container, hanging basket, or specially made “strawberry tower”.
Grow in fertile, moist but well drained, neutral to alkaline soil in full sun or light, dappled shade. Tolerant of acidic soils. Protect from wind.
Prone to leaf spot, powdery mildew, honey fungus, various fungal wilts, spider mites, aphids, vine weevil grubs, millipedes, botrytis mold, slugs, and birds.
F. vesca – Woodland Strawberry – Prior to the cultivation of strawberries, which began in the 16th century, this was the species gathered from European woodlands. It is a spreading perennial with white flowers and grows to 12″ tall, its red fruit are larger than those of the alpine strawberry.
Zones 4-10
