Barren-strawberry is a durable, low-growing ground cover. It produces bright yellow flowers in early summer.
Size and Method of spreading:
Barren-strawberry is a low-growing ground cover that seldom gets taller than 6 inches in leaf. When in flower, the flowers may add another 2 to 4 inches to the height. It is a colonizing ground cover. Colonizing ground covers produce underground stems that spread out horizontally and shallowly, produce roots, and then send up new shoots. Barren-strawberry tends to grow more slowly than most colonizing ground covers.
Native geographic location and habitat:
Barren-strawberry is native to Europe and Asia.
Leaf description:
Most of the leaves grow from the base of the plant. The leaves are compound with three leaflets. The leaflets have serrated margins.
Flower description:
Clusters of bright yellow, five-petaled flowers are produced from late spring into early summer
Fruit description:
Once pollinated, the flowers produce small, strawberry-like structures that hold the true fruits, which are achenes (the “seeds”).
Plant care:
Barren-strawberry is a fairly low-maintenance plant that can grow in a variety of soils. When grown in full sun, soil moisture needs to be consistent.
List of pests, diseases, and tolerances:
Barren-strawberry generally have no serious problems, but fungal leaf spots can occur. It is resistant to deer.
Related species:
Barren Strawberry (Waldsteinia fragarioides):
Very similar to the species listed above, the leaves are less glossy and the entire plant is slightly taller. It is less tolerant of heat (Zone 4 to 7). The two species are closely related and often mistaken for one another.
