pickup icon

WIN FREE PLANTS in the $100 RAFFLE! Click here for details
Close-up of the cheerful five-petaled white flowers and bright red berry of woodland strawberry (Fragaria vesca). One of approximately 200 species of Pacific Northwest native plants available at Sparrowhawk Native Plants, native plant nursery in Portland, Oregon.
Close-up of the cheerful five-petaled white flowers and finely toothed leaves of woodland strawberry (Fragaria vesca). One of approximately 200 species of Pacific Northwest native plants available at Sparrowhawk Native Plants, native plant nursery in Portland, Oregon.
Close-up of the cheerful five-petaled white flowers and finely toothed leaves of woodland strawberry (Fragaria vesca). One of approximately 200 species of Pacific Northwest native plants available at Sparrowhawk Native Plants, native plant nursery in Portland, Oregon.
A wild population of woodland strawberry (Fragaria vesca) covered in cheerful five-petaled white flowers. One of approximately 200 species of Pacific Northwest native plants available at Sparrowhawk Native Plants, native plant nursery in Portland, Oregon.
A wild population of woodland strawberry (Fragaria vesca) turning shades of yellow and pink in autumn. One of approximately 200 species of Pacific Northwest native plants available at Sparrowhawk Native Plants, native plant nursery in Portland, Oregon.

Woodland Strawberry

Sold out
$3.95

Fragaria vesca

Woodland strawberry is a low, fast-growing, perennial groundcover with fresh green, finely toothed leaves that create a lush, textured carpet. From spring through summer, it sends up delicate stems topped with charming five-petaled white flowers with bright golden centers, followed by small, vivid red berries that are intensely delicious despite their size - but good luck beating the wildlife to them. Beyond its ornamental appeal, it provides nectar for pollinators, fruit for birds and small mammals, and its dense, spreading foliage forms a cool, shaded layer close to the ground, helping retain soil moisture and create microhabitats and refuge for frogs, toads, salamanders and arthropods.

  • Plant type/canopy layer: deciduous, perennial, herbaceous plant
  • Size at maturity: 4-8" tall, spreads over time by rhizomes (underground) and stolons (above ground) to form a continuous groundcover
  • Light requirements: full sun. part sun/part shade, shade (prefers part shade)
  • Moisture requirements: moist to dry soil, prefers well-drained
  • Bloom time: March - August (May - June in the Portland Metro area)
  • Growth rate/ease: fast growing, easy to grow
  • Wildlife support: flowers attract and provide nectar for adult butterflies, bees and other insect pollinators; berries eaten by many species of birds and mammals; overall plant attracts and supports beneficial and pest eating insects, provides refugia and cover for amphibians and insects and is a caterpillar host plant and larval food source for dozens of species of native butterflies and moths
  • Native habitat/range: grows in woodland openings and edges across most of the Pacific Northwest, from near-sea level to about 2000m. Portland Plant List - yes. 
  • Special features & uses: semi-evergreen; wildlife favorite; groundcover; edible; medicinal; landscape uses include meadowscapes, pollinator gardens, woodland gardens, rock gardens and erosion control

Gardening with Woodland Strawberry: Though tolerant of drier sites and a range of sun conditions, this lush groundcover prefers partial shade and well-drained, humus-rich soil. Try it along the edges and borders of your woodland garden and as an underplanting for mature shrubs, along with ferns and plenty of woody debris and leaf matter. Pruning runners on the plants regularly will encourage more vigorous berries to form. 

Photo Credit 1 (with berries): "Fragaria vesca (41503723130)" by xulescu_g is licensed under CC BY-SA 2.0. 

Photo Credit 2 (flowers, leaves): © Merlla McLaughlin, some rights reserved (CC-BY)

Photo Credit 3 (flower close): © Daniel Patterson, some rights reserved (CC-BY) 

Photo Credit 4 (population): © Ken-ichi Ueda, some rights reserved (CC-BY)

Photo Credit 5 (autumn): © Michael Warner, some rights reserved (CC-BY)