While they are most notably grown for their unique and delicious edible fruits, some strawberries are grown ornamentally as well. The 5-petaled, rosaceous flowers are borne in shades of white or pink. Fragaria is useful as a groundcover, and may be grown in any small space (“strawberry towers,” hanging baskets, herb garden, border edging). They have the potential to become invasive in friendly soils.
Noteworthy CharacteristicsSpreads by stolons. Edible fruit.
CareGrow in fertile, moist, but well-drained soil in full sun or dappled shade. Strawberries thrive in alkaline soils, but will tolerate acid soils.
PropagationRemove and transplant daughter plants to renovate a bed; sow seed in spring.
ProblemsLeaf spot, powdery mildew, honey fungus, fungal wilts, spider mites, aphids, vine weevil grubs, millipedes, slugs, and small critters.
