Alpine Strawberry

Description from Monticello Shop

Alpine Strawberry  – Fragaria vesca

Hardy perennial . Small, pointed deep red berries follow the live-petalled white flowers. Blooms appear in late spring and recur throughout the summer.

• Habit: Reaches 10 inches high and 12 inches wide.
• Culture: Prefers full sun to part shade, very tolerant of soil conditions but must have good drainage.
• Hardiness: USDA Zones 3 through 9
• Origin: North America, Europe, Asia
• Attributes: Edible, Ground Cover, Deer Resistant
• Jefferson documented

Jefferson recorded growing this species on a number of occasions, and was sent plants by Bernard McMahon April 2. McMahon said in the accompanying letter: “I do myself the pleasure of sending you …. 8 plants of the true red Alpine Strawberry, being all I could procure of these kinds at present.” The fruit proved so small that Jefferson wrote to General John Mason in 1810, ” … I think it would take acres to yeild a dish.” The plants are very decorative and are useful for edging beds, since they send out few if any runners. The fruits change from bright red to a deep crimson color when fully ripe, which is when they are sweetest and should be picked.zone3,zone4,zone4,zone6,zone7,zone8,zone9