Culture
Best grown in humusy, fertile, medium moisture, well-drained soil in full sun to part shade. Prefers full sun. Plant will spread by runners and may self-seed if fruit is not harvested.
Noteworthy Characteristics
Fragaria vesca, commonly called woodland strawberry, is a small-fruited, everbearing wild strawberry that is native to Europe and Asia. Varieties of the species are found in North America both naturally and as introduced. This is a compact, stemless, 4-8” tall plant that spreads indefinitely by runners that root as they go. Numerous, small, 5-petaled white flowers with yellow centers appear throughout summer. Tri-foliate, coarsely-toothed, green leaves. Flowers are followed by edible, bright red strawberries (1/2” long) that may be harvested throughout summer. Flowers and fruit are usually simultaneously present on plants in summer. Although Steyermark finds F. vesca var. americana to be present in Missouri, the common wild strawberry of Missouri is a similar species, F. virginiana var. illinoensis.
Genus name comes from the Latin word fraga meaning strawberry presumably from fragrans meaning fragrant in reference to the perfume of the fruit.
Specific epithet means edible.
‘Semperflorens’ is a small-fruited, woodland strawberry cultivar that is grown both for its ornamental value and its tasty berries. It features compact, 8-10” tall runnerless plants which make good edgers. Dense foliage mounds discourage many weeds. Numerous, small, 5-petaled white flowers with yellow centers appear throughout summer (semperflorens meaning always flowering). Typical tri-foliate strawberry foliage. Flowers are followed by small bright red strawberries (1/2” long) which may also be harvested throughout summer. Flowers and fruit are usually simultaneously present on plants in summer. Synonymous with and sometimes sold as Fragaria vesca var. semperflorens.
Problems
Strawberries are susceptible to a number of fungal diseases including anthracnose, leaf spots, rots, wilts, powdery mildew and blights. Insect visitors include spider mites and aphids. Leaf scorch may occur in hot summer climates. This species has good resistance to the aforementioned diseases and insects.
Uses
Woodland strawberry is generally grown for its ornamental features because the fruits are so small. Native plant gardens. Edger or groundcover. Rock gardens. Open woodland areas. Also may be grown in containers or pots.