Alpine Strawberry (Fragaria vesca var. vesca)

Hardy perennial

Small, pointed deep red berries follow the live-petalled white flowers. Blooms appear in late spring and recur throughout the summer.

Origin: North America, Europe, Asia

Thomas Jefferson recorded growing this species on a number of occasions, and was sent plants by Bernard McMahon April 2. McMahon said in the accompanying letter: "I do myself the pleasure of sending you .... 8 plants of the true red Alpine Strawberry, being all I could procure of these kinds at present." The fruit proved so small that Jefferson wrote to General John Mason in 1810, " ... I think it would take acres to yeild a dish." The plants are very decorative and are useful for edging beds, groundcovers, and containers. The fruits change from bright red to a deep crimson color when fully ripe, which is when they are sweetest and should be picked.

Alpine Strawberry (Fragaria vesca var. vesca) arrives in a 2.5" pot.