Fragaria vesca – Woodland Strawberry

A naturally prolific wild berry. Woodland Strawberry bears small but good flavored berries continuously, as long as the weather is suitable. The fruits are usually 1 inch long and ¼ to 1 inch wide, being almost cartoonishly rounded or elongated. Unlike other Strawberries, the seeds of Woodland Strawberry are not inlaid in the fruit flesh, but tend to sit directly on the outside of the fruit, making them even more unique. Fruit ripens from late May to October outdoors here, usually with a dry spell in August, and the October crop significantly smaller. The fruits will set reliably through July, however, which is much longer than most commercial varieties and even the native Wild Strawberry (Fragaria virginiana). The flowers and fruits persist almost year-round in the greenhouse. Yet another unusual trait for a Strawberry plant, the runners of this species are relatively short and more or less upright, so that unless they are bent to the ground and held down they may take a long time to touch the ground and start new plants. This often makes them easier to manage in small gardens than most other types of Strawberries. They are just as easily grown as a loose, easy-to-maintain ground cover as they are for their fruits. The leaves of this species, in the same fashion as other Strawberries, have been used medicinally as well.

These plants are self-fertile. Fruits are strongly sweet, with characteristic Strawberry acidity, and reminiscent of cotton candy. For optimal results, plant in beds of leaf mulch. Out of all of our plantings, the ones grown in beds of mulched leaves – a mix of Oak, Maple, Birch, Chestnut, and some others – at least 8″ deep, against a south-facing wall, produced the largest and sweetest fruits by far. Since these plants are adapted to life in the understory and clearings of Oak-Pine forests, their growth in these areas makes sense. The tannins and acids that leach from these leaves are not an issue. Our other plantings, all receiving varying degrees of light and in differing soil conditions, tend to be equally as prolific, but with average-sized fruits.

Plant in full to part sun. Prefers moist, rich, well-drained soil. Will tolerate dry soils once fully established, but fruit set may be diminished unless organic matter is added.