Zone: 5 to 9

Soil: Sand to clay

Light: Full sun to shade

Bloom colour: White

Bloom period: Early summer

Height: 8 inches

Moisture: Dry to medium

Attracts: A number of bees and pollinating flies when in flower; birds when in fruit.

Notes: Fragaria is an early season wildlife plant. It is most effective as a wildlife plant when it covers a large area in a sunny part of the garden. It is an excellent plant to prevent soil erosion on banks.

Wild strawberry is a groundcover easily identified by its toothed leaves of three and it is a rampant spreader. It sends out runners over 2 feet long, but its low height prevents it from dominating other plants. It feeds a wide range of insects, birds and small mammals. There are two species in Ontario. Fragaria virginiana is planted in sunny spots while Fragaria vesca is planted in shadier spots. They both tolerate dryness fairly well.