Alpine Strawberry
Fragaria vesca
Also known as
Wild Strawberry, Woodland Strawberry
Photo by CandideUK (All rights reserved)
Full Sun
Easy care
Moderate watering
Frost Hardy
H6
RHS hardiness
-20°C
Minimum temperature
Expected size
Height | Spread | |
|---|---|---|
30cm | Max | 60cm |
20cm | Min | 20cm |
2 years to reach maturity
Fruiting
-
spring
-
summer
-
autumn
-
winter
Fruit is ready for harvesting 4–6 weeks after flowering. Harvest only fully red berries, and cut by the stem every three days, don't pull the berry. Harvest can last up to 3 months.
More images of Alpine Strawberry
Alpine Strawberry Overview
Fragaria vesca is a spreading perennial plant from the Rosaceae family. It produces sharply toothed leaves in groups of 3, they are bright green in colour. Commonly known by the names Alpine Strawberry, Wild Strawberry and Woodland Strawberry. Flowers appear in spring, they are white in colour and lead onto edible red fruits measuring up to 1cm in length, called Strawberries. Alpine Strawberry also produces stolons, these are horizontal stems above the ground that can root and form new plants.
Common problems with Alpine Strawberry
Wild Strawberries can also may suffer from Japanese beetles.
How to propagate Alpine Strawberry
Layering
Push a new little plant into the soil, covering a portion of it. Leave attached for a month min. and water regularly with the mother plant to keep it moist and encourage root growth. Then cut to remove from the mother.
Seed
Sow 3 seeds in each hole, 6mm deep and 15-30 cm apart. Gently press the soil over the seed. Use plastic wrap to cover the top of the planter to keep the soil moist. Remove the plastic when they sprout.
Special features of Alpine Strawberry
Attractive flowers
Attractive fruits
Small and tasty red fruit.
Pot plant
You can grow strawberries year-round in a cold climate in a container because they have shallow roots and can easily be moved indoors and outdoors during the different seasons.
Ground cover
Suits being grown as ground cover on slopes and banks under taller shrubs.
Other uses of Alpine Strawberry
Wildflower/meadow.
Edible
Fruits are eaten either fresh or in prepared foods like preserves, juice, jam, ice creams, milkshakes, etc.