FRAGARIA. Strawberry. Widespread in temperate areas. Most of us know the strawberries as those heavenly fruits from the supermarket. Most of us have also seen one of our western species, F. chiloensis, in the role of commercial ground cover. But there is more to the group. Most have slender, trailing stems and distinctive three-parted, toothed leaves. Their flowers resemble small single roses—usually white, but now there are beautiful pink flowered selections as well. Depending on their size, they may be useful for ground cover, as container subjects or even in the rock garden (most are a bit too rambunctious for the last position). Nearly all thrive in sun or light shade near the coast, light shade inland, in most soils, with moderate watering. The following are hardy to 10^oF or below.

chiloensis. Beach strawberry. This coastal native has long been a popular ground cover, making lush, dark green carpets and thriving in a wide range of climates. It has leaves up to 2½” broad, with a lacquered surface, and decorative 1” white flowers.  ‘Green Pastures’ is a more refined variation on the theme, more profusely branched than other selections, with smaller leaves and larger flowers.

vesca ‘Shades of Pink’. Wild strawberry. A thick, slowly spreading mat. The leaves are up to 2" broad, dark green and folded slightly, accordion-like, along the veins. Flowers are white in the usual form but larger and medium pink in this selection. I have yet to see the fruit.