Alpine Strawberry

Growing

Unlike larger garden strawberries, these charming perennials form a low, spreading mat that is ideal for container gardening or as a living mulch under taller plants. Because they are often sold as much for their ornamental beauty as their fruit, you can enjoy their lush foliage in partial shade or full sun. When starting from seed, handle the tiny seeds with extreme care; they are so small that a heavy stream of water can easily wash them away. To ensure success, avoid burying them too deep, as they need light to germinate.

As your plants establish, you can expand your patch by dividing the crowns once the soil has warmed in the spring. These plants are incredibly hardy and can survive a hard freeze, making them a reliable fixture in your garden for years. Because each individual plant is capable of setting fruit on its own, you do not need to worry about complex pollination setups, and the blossoms are excellent for attracting pollinators to your landscape.

The fruit is highly aromatic and delicate, but it lacks the firmness of larger varieties. Because the berries do not continue to ripen once they are removed from the plant, you must wait until they are fully colored and fragrant before harvesting. To maintain their quality, harvest them by hand and store them unwashed in the refrigerator. If you have a surplus, these berries also freeze well for later use.