Unusual Strawberry Varieties

Woodland Strawberry

• The woodland strawberry (Fragaria vesca), also known as the alpine strawberry or the California strawberry, is native to Europe and now naturalized throughout the United States. This strawberry was among the species hybridized to create the common strawberry. Its serrated, triple dark-green leaves and small, golden-centered white flowers closely resemble those of the common strawberry. Its berries, however, are much smaller. These tiny berries are intensely flavorful, aromatic and richly colored. Although their small size has made woodland strawberries unappealing to commercial growers, many berry connoisseurs prefer these sweet little gems. One such woodland strawberry fan was Henry A. Wallace, who served as Secretary of Agriculture under President Franklin Roosevelt, who bemoaned the fruit's lack of marketability. Woodlands strawberries thrive in moist, shady conditions and bloom in late spring.

Musk Strawberry

• A similar species to the woodland strawberry is the musk strawberry (Fragaria moschata) also known as the Hautbois strawberry. The musk strawberry is indigenous to continental Europe and has been naturalized in Britain, where it is found growing among tall meadow grasses and on forest floors. Like the woodland strawberry, it is a perennial bearing diminutive crimson berries bursting with sweetness, flavor and enticing aroma. Their heady fragrance, in fact, may be responsible for their common name. These succulent strawberries do best in moist, well-drained soil and at least partial sun.

Beach Strawberry

• The beach strawberry (Fragaria chiloensis) is also known as the coast strawberry or the sand strawberry. Native to the Pacific coast of North America, this species was also an ancestor of the common strawberry. Like other strawberries, this low-growing plant bears dark green trifolate leaves and white blossoms. It dry, sandy soil and thrives in conditions ranging from full sun to partial shade. Its berries are bright red and full of flavor.

Virginia Strawberry

• Another species of strawberry unknown to many gardeners is the Virginia strawberry (Fragaria virginiana). Like the beach strawberry, this plant is endemic to North America. Its native range extends from southeastern Canada southwards to Oklahoma and Georgia. Virginia strawberries enjoy dry, acidic soil and either sun or shade. Their small, red berries are among the sweetest among the wild strawberry species. In the meadows and woodlands where they grow, Virginia strawberries feed a variety of birds and mammals. They are also a larval host for the gray hairstreak butterfly.