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Fragaria virginiana (Scarlet Strawberry)

Scarlet Strawberry, Wild Strawberry

Fragaria virginiana, Scarlet Strawberry, Wild Strawberry, evergreen shrub, Strawberries, Red Fruit, White flowers

Fragaria virginiana (Scarlet Strawberry) is a low-growing, spreading perennial forming rosettes of tri-foliate, coarsely-toothed, bright green leaves. It bears a profusion of small, 5-petaled white flowers adorned with yellow centers for 3-4 weeks in late spring to early summer. They are followed by a crop of tiny, bright red berries, 0.5 in. (1 cm), rich with a sweet-tart flavor. Small seeds are scattered across the surface of these fruits in sunken pits. Scarlet Strawberry is a cool-season plant that grows actively during spring and fall but often becomes dormant after setting fruit during the hot summer months. This plant is easy to cultivate, and it will spread to form a loose ground cover in open areas. The foliage is more resistant to foliar disease than most cultivated strawberries.

  • Grows up to 4-7 in. tall (10-17 cm) and 12-24 in. wide (30-60 cm). This plant spreads by runners to form large colonies over time.
  • A full sun to part shade lover, this plant is best grown in fertile, moist, well-drained soils. Prefers organically rich, sandy loams.
  • Great as a ground cover or as a border plant. Excellent on slopes (erosion control) or woodland gardens.
  • Strawberries are susceptible to some issues, including anthracnose, leaf spot, rots, wilts, powdery mildew, and blights. Insect visitors include spider mites and aphids. Leaf scorch may occur in hot summer climates.
  • Propagation: remove and transplant runners.
  • Native to North America

Requirements

Hardiness 4 - 9
Plant Type Fruits
Plant Family Rosaceae
Genus Fragaria
Common names Wild Strawberry, Strawberry
Exposure Full Sun, Partial Sun
Season of Interest Spring (Late)
Summer (Early)
Height 4" - 7"
(10cm - 18cm)
Spread 1' - 2'
(30cm - 60cm)
Maintenance Average
Water Needs Average
Soil Type Clay, Loam, Sand
Soil pH Acid, Alkaline, Neutral
Soil Drainage Moist but Well-Drained
Characteristics Fruit & Berries
Native Plants United States, Maine, New York, New Jersey, New Hampshire, Maryland, Massachusetts, Connecticut, Delaware, Vermont, Rhode Island, Pennsylvania, Northeast, California, Alaska, Midwest, Rocky Mountains, Southwest, Southeast, Pacific Northwest, South Dakota, Kansas, Illinois, Iowa, Missouri, Indiana, Wisconsin, Michigan, Nebraska, North Dakota, Ohio, Minnesota, Oregon, Washington, Idaho, South Carolina, Tennessee, Virginia, West Virginia, Arkansas, Florida, Georgia, Kentucky, North Carolina, Mississippi, Louisiana, Alabama, Oklahoma, Nevada, New Mexico, Arizona, Texas, Utah, Wyoming, Montana, Colorado
Tolerance Deer
Attracts Birds
Garden Uses Banks And Slopes, Beds And Borders, Ground Covers
Garden Styles Informal and Cottage
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Alternative Plants to Consider

Fragaria ‘Chandler’ (Junebearing Strawberry)
Fragaria × ananassa ‘Berried Treasure Pink’ (Everbearing Strawberry)
Fragaria × ananassa ‘Gasana’ (Everbearing Strawberry)
Fragaria × ananassa ‘Ruby Ann’ (Everbearing Strawberry)
Fragaria × ananassa ‘Tristan’ (Everbearing Strawberry)
Fragaria chiloensis (Beach Strawberry)

Recommended Companion Plants

Brunnera macrophylla ‘Jack Frost’ (Siberian Bugloss)
Viola odorata (Sweet Violet)
Matteuccia struthiopteris (Ostrich Fern)

Find In One of Our Guides or Gardens

Most Popular Strawberry Varieties
While every effort has been made to describe these plants accurately, please keep in mind that height, bloom time, and color may differ in various climates. The description of these plants has been written based on numerous outside resources.
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Requirements

Hardiness 4 - 9
Plant Type Fruits
Plant Family Rosaceae
Genus Fragaria
Common names Wild Strawberry, Strawberry
Exposure Full Sun, Partial Sun
Season of Interest Spring (Late)
Summer (Early)
Height 4" - 7"
(10cm - 18cm)
Spread 1' - 2'
(30cm - 60cm)
Maintenance Average
Water Needs Average
Soil Type Clay, Loam, Sand
Soil pH Acid, Alkaline, Neutral
Soil Drainage Moist but Well-Drained
Characteristics Fruit & Berries
Native Plants United States, Maine, New York, New Jersey, New Hampshire, Maryland, Massachusetts, Connecticut, Delaware, Vermont, Rhode Island, Pennsylvania, Northeast, California, Alaska, Midwest, Rocky Mountains, Southwest, Southeast, Pacific Northwest, South Dakota, Kansas, Illinois, Iowa, Missouri, Indiana, Wisconsin, Michigan, Nebraska, North Dakota, Ohio, Minnesota, Oregon, Washington, Idaho, South Carolina, Tennessee, Virginia, West Virginia, Arkansas, Florida, Georgia, Kentucky, North Carolina, Mississippi, Louisiana, Alabama, Oklahoma, Nevada, New Mexico, Arizona, Texas, Utah, Wyoming, Montana, Colorado
Tolerance Deer
Attracts Birds
Garden Uses Banks And Slopes, Beds And Borders, Ground Covers
Garden Styles Informal and Cottage
How Many Plants
Do I Need?
Not sure which Fragaria (Strawberry) to pick?
Compare Now

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