Pacific coastal strawberry is a beach native- in fact it occurs all around the Pacific Rim and makes an adorable and durable ground cover on sand dunes. Well this version is like the giant hulk of strawberries. Huge in every way and vigorous? Wow, plant and get out of the way. The large glossy evergreen leaves are up to 6″ across and the single white flowers in spring and summer (sometimes in winter) are large also. The paltry fruit that follows is far from edible. It won’t kill you but you really have to like sour and gritty with millions of seeds. This is an ideal ground cover for rough sites in full sun to part shade. Don’t bother enriching the soil that will just make this trailing monster roar. Instead err on the side of a little neglect and watch what this native plant can do. Be wary of delicate plants in the vicinity. Evergreen, easy and drought tolerant. Oregon native plant.
Fragaria chiloense ‘Aulon’
Family: Rosaceae Genus: Fragaria
Plant type: Ground cover, Herbaceous perennial
Biomes/Growing conditions: Hot Aspects, Low Water/No Water, Oregon Coast, Western Native
Sun exposure: Full Sun, Part Shade
USDA Hardiness zone: Zn6a -5º to -10ºF
Foliage color: Dark Green
Foliage season: Evergreen