Rosaceae
This ground hugging perennial is one of the most recognized native plants with its five-petal white flowers, single trifoliate leaf and delicious red berries. From this fantastic little plant many of the common garden strawberry varieties were developed.
Tolerant of a wide range of growing conditions, they prefer dry to moist open woodlands and clearings in marginal to rich soils. The species will tolerate competition from taller plants as it develops early in the spring before most other species will shade it. Plants will also tolerate moderate acidic soil - in our yard they cover the ground under and around the spruce trees. The more shade the less fruit the plants produce.
Wild strawberries will spread rapidly by long hairy runners which develop new plants and establish roots very quickly. Generally this growth occurs in mid to late spring, but can also happen throughout the summer months if adequate moisture is available. Root systems form a symbiotic relationship with endomycorrhizal bacteria in the soil.
This growth pattern makes it an ideal species for understory plantings and as a ground cover. Use them in and around coniferous and deciduous trees as well as shrubs or even in the lawn area as they are too low to the ground for the mower to cause any damage.
By planting wild strawberries you will be adding diversity and natural beauty to your environment. Butterflies will visit the flowers and if you don't eat all the delicious berries the birds certainly will!
Plants will be available in 6 packs for $10.00 and can be picked up on Saturday at the Old Strathcona Farmers Market and the Callingwood Market on Sunday starting in June. This is our third season of growing and offering plants collected from genetic material native to the Edmonton area. Please book your orders early as we sell out each season.
Send us an email bedrock@telusplanet.net and we will reserve the plants for you.
