The Flowering Ground Cover That Replaces Bare Spots With Delicious Fruit

While there are a variety of low-growing plants that can be used as ground covers, some also bring additional benefits. From flowers to fruits to evergreen foliage, there are some ground cover plants that have it all. One of the best multipurpose edible ground covers is actually the humble and ubiquitous strawberry (Fragaria spp.)! 

There are several different species of strawberries, but some of the most popular in North America include native alpine (Fragaria vesca) and wild strawberries (Fragaria virginiana), as well as garden strawberries (Fragaria x ananassa) which are a cross between wild strawberries and a type of Chilean strawberry. While garden strawberries offer the largest fruits and are the varieties generally found in supermarkets, wild and alpine strawberries are also delicious. Even better, all three of these strawberries grow and spread well and can be used as ground covers. Garden strawberries are widely available at garden centers and boast a variety of different types and cultivars with different fruit-bearing times, as well as subtle differences in flavor. Alpine and wild strawberries aren't always available in garden centers, but can easily be purchased from plant shops online, especially those that specialize in native or heirloom varieties. Some varieties can also be purchased as seeds, though it's important to keep in mind that strawberry seeds do require cold stratification to germinate well.

While strawberries tend to produce the most fruits when grown in full sun, wild, alpine, and garden strawberries can all also grow in part shade, making them a great ground cover choice for a variety of locations. With garden and wild strawberries hardy in zones 5 through 9, and alpine strawberries able to handle temperatures in zones 3 through 10, strawberries are an excellent option for growing in large swaths of North America. Strawberries can generally grow in a variety of soil types, though they do require soil to be well-draining, and they may not be the best ground cover option if your yard tends to stay very wet. 

In most locations with good lighting and soil conditions, your strawberries should easily establish and begin to spread. Because strawberries spread quickly via their runners, it shouldn't take long before your bare garden spots have been transformed into strawberry fields. If, however, you decide you want to prioritize a luscious strawberry harvest over quickly covering your ground, you may want to remove most of the runners to encourage the plant to focus on flowering and fruiting.