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Fragaria virginiana (Scarlet strawberry)
5 hours care
per year
per year
0.2m
Max height
Max height
0.6m
Max spread
Max spread
1-2 years
To maturity
To maturity
Plant details
Botanical name
Fragaria virginiana
Other names
Scarlet strawberry, Wild strawberry, Virginia strawberry
Genus
Fragaria Fragaria
Species
F. virginiana - F. virginiana is a compact, stoloniferous perennial with trifoliate leaves divided into three coarsely toothed, wrinkled, dark green leaflets and clusters of white flowers in mid- to late spring followed by ovoid, edible, red fruit.
Fragaria virginiana is: Deciduous
Habit
Compact, Spreading
Flower
White in Spring
Foliage
Mid-green in Spring; Mid-green in Summer; Mid-green in Autumn
How to care
Watch out for
Pests
It is best to rotate crops to avoid pest and disease problems.
Specific pests
Aphids , Glasshouse red spider mite , Vine weevil , Woodlice Aphids , Glasshouse red spider mite , Vine weevil , Woodlice
Crown rot , Grey mould , Root rot , Verticillium wilt Crown rot , Grey mould , Root rot , Verticillium wilt
General care
Pruning
Remove excess runners as needed.
Propagation
Peg down runners growing over the soil surface in summer. Leave attached to the mother plant until autumn. (5 runners at most) Cut new plants from the mother plant and plant out.
Propagation methods
Runners
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Where to grow
Fragaria virginiana (Scarlet strawberry) will reach a height of 0.2m and a spread of 0.6m after 1-2 years.
Suggested uses
Add to salads, Beds and borders, Cake decoration, Cottage/Informal, Flavouring food and drinks, Ground Cover, Woodland
Cultivation
Plant crown at soil level in fertile, moist or moist but well-drained, acid to neutral soil in full sun or partial shade. Best in sandy loam. Mulch with pine or spruce leaves in spring. Dislikes high summer heat, humidity, and strong, drying winds. May go dormant in hot summer months.
Soil type
Loamy, Sandy
Soil drainage
Moist but well-drained, Moisture-retentive
Soil pH
Acid, Neutral
Light
Partial Shade, Full Sun
Aspect
North, South, East, West
Exposure
Sheltered
UK hardiness Note: We are working to update our ratings. Thanks for your patience.
Hardy (H4)
Companion plants
We do not currently have companion plants added for this plant.
Botanical name
Fragaria virginiana
Other names
Scarlet strawberry, Wild strawberry, Virginia strawberry
Genus
Fragaria Fragaria
Species
F. virginiana - F. virginiana is a compact, stoloniferous perennial with trifoliate leaves divided into three coarsely toothed, wrinkled, dark green leaflets and clusters of white flowers in mid- to late spring followed by ovoid, edible, red fruit.
Native to
Eastern North America
Foliage
Deciduous
Habit
Compact, Spreading
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Colour
Flower
White in Spring
Foliage
Mid-green in Spring; Mid-green in Summer; Mid-green in Autumn
How to care
Watch out for
Pests
It is best to rotate crops to avoid pest and disease problems.
Specific pests
Aphids , Glasshouse red spider mite , Vine weevil , Woodlice
Specific diseases
Crown rot , Grey mould , Root rot , Verticillium wilt
General care
Pruning
Remove excess runners as needed.
Propagation
Peg down runners growing over the soil surface in summer. Leave attached to the mother plant until autumn. (5 runners at most) Cut new plants from the mother plant and plant out.
Propagation methods
Runners
Monthly care advice
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Where to grow
Fragaria virginiana (Scarlet strawberry) will reach a height of 0.2m and a spread of 0.6m after 1-2 years.
Suggested uses
Add to salads, Beds and borders, Cake decoration, Cottage/Informal, Flavouring food and drinks, Ground Cover, Woodland
Cultivation
Plant crown at soil level in fertile, moist or moist but well-drained, acid to neutral soil in full sun or partial shade. Best in sandy loam. Mulch with pine or spruce leaves in spring. Dislikes high summer heat, humidity, and strong, drying winds. May go dormant in hot summer months.
Soil type
Loamy, Sandy
Soil drainage
Moist but well-drained, Moisture-retentive
Soil pH
Acid, Neutral
Light
Partial Shade, Full Sun
Aspect
North, South, East, West
Exposure
Sheltered
UK hardiness Note: We are working to update our ratings. Thanks for your patience.
Hardy (H4)
USDA zones
Zone 9, Zone 8, Zone 7, Zone 6, Zone 5
Defra's Risk register #1
Plant name
Fragaria virginiana (Scarlet strawberry)
Common pest name
grape ground pearl
Scientific pest name
Margarodes vitis
Type
Insect
Current status in UK
Absent
Likelihood to spread to UK (1 is very low - 5 is very high)
2
Impact (1 is very low - 5 is very high)
5
General biosecurity comments
Main pathway; Vitis spp. plants for planting; already prohibited. However; further consideration of other pathways is required.
Defra's Risk register #2
Plant name
Fragaria virginiana (Scarlet strawberry)
Common pest name
Scientific pest name
Xiphinema bakeri
Type
Nematode
Current status in UK
Absent
Likelihood to spread to UK (1 is very low - 5 is very high)
2
Impact (1 is very low - 5 is very high)
4
General biosecurity comments
Nematode pest; could potentially affect trees and other species if introduced but many pathways regulated. No evidence of interceptions or findings to date.
Defra's Risk register #3
Plant name
Fragaria virginiana (Scarlet strawberry)
Common pest name
Australian grapevine yellows; Australian lucerne yellows; Australian yellows of grapevine
Scientific pest name
Candidatus Phytoplasma australiense'
Type
Phytoplasma
Current status in UK
Absent
Likelihood to spread to UK (1 is very low - 5 is very high)
2
Impact (1 is very low - 5 is very high)
4
General biosecurity comments
Phytoplasma present in Australia and New Zealand which could be damaging to grapevine and strawberry production; in particular; if introduced to the UK. EU regulations help to mitigate the risk of entry.
About this section
Our plants are under greater threat than ever before. There is increasing movement of plants and other material traded from an increasing variety of sources. This increases the chances of exotic pests arriving with imported goods and travellers, as well as by natural means. Shoot is working with Defra to help members to do their part in preventing the introduction and spread of invasive risks.
Traveling or importing plants? Please read "Don't risk it" advice here
Suspected outbreak? Click here for contact details to report to the relevant authority.
Date updated: 7th March 2019 For more information visit: https://planthealthportal.defra.gov.uk/
In order to add a note on this plant, please add this plant to your plant lists.
| This plant likes... | Garden match | |
| Soil types: | Loamy, Sandy | Tell us... |
| Soil drainage: | Moist but well-drained, Moisture-retentive | Tell us... |
| Soil pH: | Acid, Neutral | Tell us... |
| Light: | Partial Shade, Full Sun | Tell us... |
| Aspect: | North, South, East, West | Tell us... |
| Exposure: | Sheltered | Tell us... |
| Hardiness: | Hardy (H4) | Tell us... |
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