Fragaria virginiana
Origin: Eastern North America
Improvement status: Wild
Seeds per packet: ~30
BOTANICAL SAMPLE - NOT GERMINATION TESTED
Life cycle: Perennial
The wild strawberry, also known as Virginia strawberry, scarlet strawberry, or common strawberry, is a widespread North American native perennial. It is perhaps best-known as one of the parent species of the domesticated garden strawberry (Fragaria x ananassa), along with the beach strawberry (Fragaria chiloensis), which is native to western North and South America. But our native wild strawberries are not to be overlooked. Wild strawberries taste like the very best domesticated strawberries, only better. Despite coming in a small package (seldom larger than 3/4 of an inch), they have a rich, sweet, deep strawberry flavor. The leaves also make a fine tea, rich in Vitamin C.
Wild strawberries also have many medicinal uses. According to Plants for a Future, "The whole plant is antiseptic, astringent, emmenagogue, galactogogue and odontalgic. It has been used to regulate the menstrual cycle. A tea made from the leaves has been used as a nerve tonic and is slightly astringent. A poultice made from the dried powdered leaves mixed with oil has been used to treat open sores. A tea made from the roots is diuretic. It has been used in the treatment of diarrhoea, irregular menses, gonorrhoea, stomach and lung ailments." The fruit juice of wild strawberries has been demonstrated to have anti-cancer capabilities as well, including against a particular form of lung cancer cells.
NOTE: This species should not be confused with the ubiquitous mock strawberry (Potentilla indica), with which it bears superficial similarities. Many people who have eaten the flavorless mock strawberry erroneously believe they've eaten wild strawberries, which we believe has caused great damage to the reputation of this truly wonderful native fruit.
Our seed comes from Prairie Moon Nursery in Winona, Minnesota.
GROWING TIPS: Seeds will germinate best following 60 days of cold-moist stratification. Young seedlings can be surface sown in good soil or growing medium kept moist. Germination can be irregular. Young seedlings should be kept moist too, and not planted out until they are large enough to fend for themselves. Will spread extensively by runners, making it very easy to propagate more plants and spread to other parts of your farm or garden. Wild strawberries are at home in a range of habitats, but they grow best in full sun and among plants that won't shade them out completely. They prefer fields and meadows with relatively sparse vegetation and moist soil. They are happy in either loamy or sandy soil. Fragaria virginiana a classic edge species, often found along woodland edges, trails, roads or railroads, in open clearings in forests, and limestone glades. In dry years, they may conserve their energy by not fruiting at all. This is a very drought tolerant species overall, and very cold hardy. Thrives in Zones 3-10.
