Data provided by the participants of the Consortium of California Herbaria

View additional distribution information on the Jepson eflora

Woodland Strawberry (Fragaria vesca) is a perennial groundcover in the Rose family (Rosaceae). Naturally occurring across the Northern Hemisphere, it is also commonly known as Wild Strawberry and Wood Strawberry. Spreading by rhizomes (underground) and stolons (above-ground runners), the dark green leaves and bright red fruits make an attractive groundcover. The fruits are small but flavorful and are priced both by wildlife and humans. Bees and other pollinators adore the flowers.

As the name suggests, Woodland Strawberry grows in partly shady Woodland and Forest habitats. Although tolerant of dry sites in full shade, they grow in moist locations in part sun, such as near creeks or streams. Plant Woodland Strawberries in a shady area of the yard, along pathways, between stepping stones, amongst ferns and under mature trees and shrubs. To propagate more plants, dig up and relocate new plants that have rooted from the runners. Do this in early spring just as new growth appears.

Plant type

Perennial herb

Size

1 - 12 in Tall
3 ft Wide

Calscape icon
Color

White

Flowering season

Winter, Spring

Special uses

Containers, Deer resistant, Groundcover, Lawn alternative

Sun

Deep Shade, Full Sun, Partial Shade

Water

Moderate

Summer irrigation

Max 3x / month once established

Ease of care

Easy

Cold tolerance

Tolerates cold to -5° F

Soil drainage

Slow, Medium

Soil description

Tolerates clay and garden soil.
Soil PH: 5.4 - 6.8

Sunset Zones

1, 2, 4*, 5*, 6*, 7*, 8, 9, 14*, 15*, 16*, 17*, 18*, 19*, 20*, 21*, 22*, 23*, 24*

Site type

Woodlands

Plant communities

Chaparral, Closed-cone Pine Forest, Douglas-Fir Forest, Mixed Evergreen Forest, Yellow Pine Forest

Use with woodland trees, shrubs and herbs such as False Indigo (Amorpha californica), Manzanita (Arctostaphylos spp.), Incense Cedar (Calocedrus decurrens), Mariposa Lily (Calochortus spp.), Ceanothus spp., Fleabane (Erigeron spp.), Silk Tassel Bush (Garrya spp.), Crevice Alumroot (Heuchera micrantha), Ocean Spray (Holodiscus discolor), Leopard Lily (Lilium pardalinum), Tanoak (Notholithocarpus densiflorus), Douglas Fir (Pseudotsuga menziesii), and many others.

Bees
Butterflies

Pollinators supported

0 confirmed and 114 likely

  • Likely

  • Confirmed

Adela septentrionella

Angelic Sweat Bee

Agapostemon angelicus

Texas Striped Sweat Bee

Agapostemon texanus

Andrena angustella

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Canola

Brassica napus

Buckwheat

Fagopyrum esculentum

Strawberries

Fragaria

Sunflower

Helianthus annuus