The Low-Maintenance Ground Cover That Boasts Cheery Yellow Flowers In Spring

Finding a good ground cover is important for suppressing weeds and preventing erosion in the garden. Strawberries can make an excellent and delicious ground cover, but if you aren't interested in the berries and dislike the mess they make, there are plenty of other options. Barren strawberries (Waldsteinia fragarioides) are a popular ground cover option — these have strawberry-like leaves, charming yellow flowers, and no messy fruits. Even better, like many real strawberries (Fragaria spp.), they are native to North America.

Despite their name, barren strawberries are not particularly closely related to real strawberries, though both are members of the rose family (Rosaceae). Unlike the white flowers that real strawberries have, barren strawberries instead boast yellow flowers. And unlike the juicy but messy fruit, barren strawberries have dry fruits that aren't good to eat but also aren't poisonous. Because of how quickly barren strawberries can spread and form mats without becoming overly aggressive, they're ideal for adding evergreen leaves and bright, sunny flowers to gardens.

Barren strawberries are hardy in USDA zones 3 through 7, making them an excellent ground cover option for much of the United States. They do struggle with hot summers, though, so gardeners in hot southern parts of the country may need to look elsewhere for ground cover options. Barren strawberries grow best in full sun or part shade, and their tolerance for dappled shade makes them perfect for planting under and around trees and in woodland gardens.

While barren strawberries can handle a variety of soil conditions, including loamy and clay-heavy soil, they do require that their soil be well-draining. They also prefer acidic soil with a pH under 6. This makes them perfect for pairing with other colorful plants that thrive in acidic soil, like azaleas and rhododendrons. Despite their preference for acidic soil, they can grow in more alkaline soils as well, making them an impressively versatile ground cover option. 

With a height of only around 6 inches, barren strawberries are petite enough to fit into the front of almost any garden, outcompeting weeds and adding a colorful living mulch. And because they are evergreen, with their leaves taking on a bronze tone in cold weather, they're an easy way to ensure your garden has plenty of winter interest. As their cheery yellow flowers bloom in spring, they're perfect for pairing with equally bright tulips and daffodils.

Because they can tolerate foot traffic, you can also use barren strawberries as an eco-friendly grass alternative for your lawn. They're somewhat drought tolerant, so they can create a beautiful lawn while using far less water than turfgrass would require. Barren strawberries are surprisingly tolerant of road salt as well, so they're a great low-maintenance option for growing on hellstrips and other tricky locations where many other plants may struggle.