Barren Strawberry

Waldsteinia fragarioides

Rosaceae · perennial · introduced

Last updated May 10, 2026

Barren strawberry is a broadleaf groundcover native to southern Canada and the eastern United States. It produces yellow 5-petaled flowers (about 2 cm) in clusters of 3-8 with prominent stamens and pistils and strawberry-like trifoliate leaves.

Barren strawberry is hardy in zones 4a-8b and grows in full sun to shade with adaptable soil. Growth is low-maintenance with exceptional clay soil and deer tolerance. It is useful as groundcover and for naturalization in shaded conditions.

Plant Profile

Site Requirements

Light

Full Sun to Shade

Soil Drainage

Well Drained

Water

Moderate

Hardiness

Zones 4a–8b

Ornamental Interest

Bloom Time

April to May

Origin

southern Canada and eastern and northern U

Peak Population & Dispersal

SlugHigh

Winter-Spring Feeding

Root weevilModerate

Adult Emergence & Foliar Feeding

Spotted-wing drosophilaModerate

Spring Reactivation

Diseases: Regionally Documented (4)

Raspberry bushy dwarf virus and related viruses Virus Phytophthora fragariae var. fragariae Red Stele Gray Mold Ramularia grevilleana Common Leaf Spot

Pests: Regionally Documented (9)

Noctuidae Cutworms and Armyworms Drosophila suzukii Spotted-wing drosophila Cercopidae Spittlebug Gastropoda Slug Otiorhynchus spp. Root weevil Tetranychidae Spider mite Tortricidae Leafroller Halyomorpha halys Brown marmorated stink bug Aphidoidea Aphid

Data Maturity

Baseline Extension data. Expert review underway.