Mountain Strawberry
Fragaria virginiana
Care
full sun, part shade
moderate
0–0ft tall
Mar-Aug
Friendly
Berries eaten fresh or made into jam; traditional California Indigenous food.
Supports up to 62 butterfly and moth species in Mediterranean California
Widespread throughout California mountains and coastal areas above 2000 ft elevation in meadows and open forest, extending north to Washington.
Care Guide
Planting
Plant Mountain Strawberry in full sun to part shade in spring or fall. Space plants about 12 inches apart if you're creating a groundcover, or grow them individually in containers. This native strawberry is adaptable to Bay Area conditions and will spread via runners, so give it room to expand or plan to contain it.
After Planting
Water moderately during the growing season, aiming for consistent moisture without waterlogging. Expect flowers from March through August and small berries in late spring and summer. The main mistake gardeners make is overwatering - these plants prefer drier conditions than you might expect for a strawberry, so let the soil dry slightly between waterings.
Visit Calscape for more information about Mountain Strawberry
Wildlife Supported
Birds
Strawberry fruits consumed during breeding season and fall migration; important nutritional resource for fledglings
Fruits exploited during breeding season and pre-migration staging; supplemental diet before southbound migration
Insects
Solitary bee pollinator; adult emergence and pollen collection coincides with strawberry flowering
Larval host plant; larvae feed on leaves and developing fruit; multiple generations in California
Larval host plant for butterfly development; multiple broods in California