Fragaria virginiana (Blueleaf or Alpine Strawberry)
One of our three native strawberries, Blueleaf Strawberry is found in a wide variety of habitats in the PNW and throughout North America. It spreads to be a light groundcover - less aggressive than the Coastal Strawberry (F. chiloensis), allowing many perennials to share the same space. You"ll find it in our region on our South Salish prairies and alpine zones. It hugs the ground, typically not getting taller than ~4 inches, and spreading out on runners that can be clipped if they stray too far out of bounds.
Its pretty white flowers appear in late April/early May - supporting pollinators - and keep blooming for many weeks, each one becoming a juicy strawberry for you or the wildlife to enjoy - many consider the berry to be the most delicious of our three native species.
The foliage is tinted a distinctive blue-grey, depending on where it"s planted, with leaflets more elongated than the other native strawberries.
It"s a tough plant, growing in sun to part shade - though perhaps with better fruits in a bit of dappled or part sun. Best if given humus-rich soil, but it is adaptable. Plant in part-shady sites with other diminutive or ephemeral plants that won"t shade it out: Violas, Maianthemums, and Epimedium. In sunny sites, mix with Geums, Asters, and dwarf ornamental grasses - or any combination that catches your fancy!
One of our three native strawberries, Blueleaf Strawberry is found in a wide variety of habitats in the PNW and throughout North America. It spreads to be a light groundcover - less aggressive than the Coastal Strawberry (F. chiloensis), allowing many perennials to share the same space. You"ll find it in our region on our South Salish prairies and alpine zones. It hugs the ground, typically not getting taller than ~4 inches, and spreading out on runners that can be clipped if they stray too far out of bounds.
Its pretty white flowers appear in late April/early May - supporting pollinators - and keep blooming for many weeks, each one becoming a juicy strawberry for you or the wildlife to enjoy - many consider the berry to be the most delicious of our three native species.
The foliage is tinted a distinctive blue-grey, depending on where it"s planted, with leaflets more elongated than the other native strawberries.
It"s a tough plant, growing in sun to part shade - though perhaps with better fruits in a bit of dappled or part sun. Best if given humus-rich soil, but it is adaptable. Plant in part-shady sites with other diminutive or ephemeral plants that won"t shade it out: Violas, Maianthemums, and Epimedium. In sunny sites, mix with Geums, Asters, and dwarf ornamental grasses - or any combination that catches your fancy!
One of our three native strawberries, Blueleaf Strawberry is found in a wide variety of habitats in the PNW and throughout North America. It spreads to be a light groundcover - less aggressive than the Coastal Strawberry (F. chiloensis), allowing many perennials to share the same space. You"ll find it in our region on our South Salish prairies and alpine zones. It hugs the ground, typically not getting taller than ~4 inches, and spreading out on runners that can be clipped if they stray too far out of bounds.
Its pretty white flowers appear in late April/early May - supporting pollinators - and keep blooming for many weeks, each one becoming a juicy strawberry for you or the wildlife to enjoy - many consider the berry to be the most delicious of our three native species.
The foliage is tinted a distinctive blue-grey, depending on where it"s planted, with leaflets more elongated than the other native strawberries.
It"s a tough plant, growing in sun to part shade - though perhaps with better fruits in a bit of dappled or part sun. Best if given humus-rich soil, but it is adaptable. Plant in part-shady sites with other diminutive or ephemeral plants that won"t shade it out: Violas, Maianthemums, and Epimedium. In sunny sites, mix with Geums, Asters, and dwarf ornamental grasses - or any combination that catches your fancy!