Family: Rosaceae
Name: Geum (Waldstenia) fragarioides - Barren Strawberry
Pictures: closeup of flower (Ryan Hodnett), habit (Meneerke Bloem), summer foliage (KMS Native Plants), fall color (New Moon Nursery), healthy landscape plug (KMS Native Plants)
Bloom Time: April - May
Flower: Yellow
Soil Condition: Dry, Average, Moist, Acidic, Well Drained
Light: Sun to Partial Shade
Height: 4-6" tall by 12" wide
Native Range: Eastern United States including Long Island
Zone: 4 to 7
Geum fragarioides is an underutilized local native ground cover for tough spots under trees and shrubs. Makes a great edger to a walkway or flower bed. The small yellow flowers are attractive to early pollinators. Small mammals and songbirds will eat the dry fruits in late spring. Looks great as a filler in a planter. Burgundy bronze fall foliage is just an added bonus to this fantastic perennial. Spreads slowly by rhizomes to form a lush mat of foliage. A great alternative to the invasive, Hedera helix - English Ivy.
Fun Facts: It is called Barren Strawberry because the fruit is dry and inedible to people.
Maintenance: You may clean up the foliage after the winter, but it is not necessary. If there's too much water, slugs may be an issue
Benefits: Tolerates light foot traffic, deer resistant, clay soil tolerant, drought tolerant, salt resistant, pollinators,
Companion Plants: Tiarella cordifolia - Foamflower, Carex appalachica - Appalachian Sedge, Pinus strobus - Eastern White Pine, Athyrium felix-femina - Lady Fern, Eurybia divaricata - Eastern White Wood Aster, Solidago caesia - Sweet Goldenrod
=============================================================
References:
