1/2-pint plug
Light: Full sun-part shade
Soil: Medium
Height: 3-9 inches
Bloom: May-June
Description: Favorite groundcover for sun and shade native gardens amongst TLC staff. Leaves remain semi-evergreen throughout the winter, acting to hold in soil moisture as well as suppress weeds in the spring. Spreads by above-ground runners and is very easy to control. Beautiful white flowers and tiny fruits appear in the late spring and summer. Does not suppress the growth of other native plants. Very easy to transplant. The runners will stretch towards the sun, so plant it strategically. High ecological value as well! Leaves turn a nice red color in the fall with good sun exposure.
Attracts: The ecological value of Wild Strawberry to various insects, birds, and animals is high. The nectar and pollen of the flowers attract little carpenter bees (Ceratina spp.), cuckoo bees (Nomada spp.), mason bees (Osmia spp.), Halictid bees (including green metallic bees), Halictid cuckoo bees (Sphecodes spp.), Andrenid bees, Syrphid flies, thick-headed flies (Conopidae), Tachinid flies, bottle flies (Lucilia spp.), flesh flies (Sarcophagidae), small butterflies, and skippers. These floral visitors are beneficial because they cross-pollinate the flowers. Caterpillars of the Grizzled Skipper (Pyrgus centaurae wyandot) feed on this plant. Other insect feeders include larvae of such moths as the Strawberry Crown Borer (Synanthedon bibionipennis), Strawberry Leafroller Moth (Ancylis comptana fragariae), and Wild Strawberry Seed Borer (Grapholita angleseana).
