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Waldsteinia fragarioides
Waldsteinia fragarioides

Waldsteinia fragarioides

$12.95

Waldsteinia fragarioides is a dense ground hugging perennial with glossy strawberry like leaves that remain semi evergreen in mild winters. Its cheerful yellow flowers appear in spring, resembling woodland buttercups, and are followed by foliage that takes on red and bronze hues in fall. It forms an attractive weed suppressing carpet that blends well with ferns and woodland wildflowers while also tolerating light foot traffic and shallow rooted competition.

Height & Spread: 4 - 6 in x 12 - 18 in

Bloom Time: April to May

Light Requirements: Part shade to full shade

Soil Preference: Well drained to moderately moist soils with organic content

Watering Needs: Low to moderate

Deer Resistance: Deer and rabbit resistant

Native Status

This species is native to eastern North America, where it naturally occurs in open woods and shaded slopes. It is a valuable native ground cover alternative to non native vinca and pachysandra.

WILDLIFE & INSECTS

Butterflies

  • Provides early nectar for butterflies such as Spring Azure and Eastern Comma during its spring bloom.

Bees

  • Attracts small native bees including sweat bees and mining bees that rely on early blooming woodland flowers.

Moths

  • Supports nectar feeding adult moths such as the Grape Plume Moth and borer moths found in woodland habitats.

Birds

  • Offers shelter for ground nesting birds like thrushes and sparrows; foliage and ground cover help reduce predation risk.

Spacing & Landscape Use

Spacing Recommendations:

  • Space 12 - 18 in apart to ensure full coverage and minimal weed intrusion.

Landscape Placement:

  • Excellent for shaded slopes, naturalistic woodland paths, or underplantings where dense ground coverage and seasonal interest are desired. Suitable for erosion control under trees.

Companion Plants

  • Carex pensylvanica (Pennsylvania Sedge) - A fine textured native sedge that mingles well with Waldsteinia and adds grassy movement to shaded plantings.
  • Heuchera villosa (Hairy Alumroot) - Broad leaved native with airy flowers that rise above Waldsteinia’s mat providing vertical contrast.
  • Packera aurea (Golden Groundsel) - Forms a similar height ground layer with bold golden blooms and spreads by rhizomes for added coverage.
  • Polygonatum biflorum (Solomons Seal) - Arches gracefully over the low foliage of Waldsteinia adding height and seasonal structure.
  • Trillium grandiflorum (Large Flowered Trillium) - Provides early spring flowers and architectural foliage above Waldsteinia’s carpet.

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