Ornamental strawberry

Under the name ornamental strawberry gardeners often cultivate the variegated form of the Chilean strawberry ( Fragaria chiloensis) and hybrids of strawberry (Fragaria) with marsh cinquefoil (Comarum palustris) (syn. Potentilla palustris) — both genera belong to the Rose family (Rosaceae).

Chilean strawberry - Fragaria chiloensis

Distribution: It grows abundantly along the sandy shoals of the Chilean coast up to the Antarctic Circle and in the mountain regions of the Andes. In North America it occupies the Pacific coast from California to the Aleutian Islands, is found on the Hawaiian Islands, at an altitude of 1.5 km.

Description: An evergreen perennial up to 30 cm tall. Stems long, creeping. Leaves bright green, glossy, 3-parted (trifoliate), stipules with serrated edges and a pubescent underside.

Flowers white, open five-petaled, up to 1.5 cm in diameter

Flowering time: May–June

Fruits oval, color varies from dull red to white, flesh white. Firm, separate well from the calyx. Edible.

Chilean strawberry is mainly a dioecious plant, characterized by drought tolerance and cold hardiness of flowers and ovaries.

Care difficulties: The plant is undemanding, however it has reduced frost hardiness and is susceptible to leaf spot disease.

Usage: The variegated form of Chilean strawberry is used as a groundcover and for ornamental foliage.

Ornamental strawberry 'Pink Panda' - Fragaria "Pink Panda" ('Red Ruby')

The cultivar Pink Panda was bred in England by crossing the Chilean strawberry Fragaria chiloensis and marsh cinquefoil Comarum palustris (cinquefoil was previously placed in the genus Potentilla, later separated into the genus Comarum). Sometimes it is called "strawberry-potentilla." Closer to strawberry than to cinquefoil, but with more pronounced evergreen foliage and bright flowers. A perennial subshrub 15 cm tall and 60 cm in diameter, with a typical strawberry growth habit. Spreads fairly quickly but not aggressively. Foliage glossy, dark green, semi-evergreen, 2x3 cm. Flowers are showy bright pink with a yellow center from spring until November. Produces tiny (1.5 cm) bright red strawberry fruits, which should be removed to stimulate new flowering. Fruits are sweet and tasty. In warm climates it may bloom even in December and January.

Zone: 4-8.

Ornamental strawberry 'Lipstick' - Fragaria "Lipstick"

A hybrid Fragaria ananassa x Potentilla palustris. Bred in 1966 in the Netherlands.

Against the backdrop of lush green leaves, bright flowers that are darker than those of "Pink Panda" appear in late spring–early summer and again in autumn.

Zone: 5-8; in zones 3-4 it is necessary to mulch for the winter.

Location: prefers a sunny site. In regions with a hot climate it is better to plant in partial shade so that flowering lasts longer. Adapts to any soil, but prefers humus-rich soil with a neutral pH.

Care: For abundant flowering it is necessary to promptly remove faded flowers and fruit set; otherwise the plant will quickly finish flowering and set fruit, which are no less tasty than those of non-ornamental forms. Plants are fairly drought-tolerant, although they achieve greater ornamental effect with timely watering. To limit spreading, remove runners.

Propagation: vegetatively – by runners. The strongest rosettes are those located on runners close to the mother plant; they should be used first for planting.

Use: An excellent groundcover plant, ideal for filling in between shrubs.