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Ornamental Strawberry Fragaria 'Red Ruby'

Other Common Name(s):

Phonetic Spelling
frah-GAYR-ee-ah
Description

'Red Ruby' is a cultivar of the Fragaria, or strawberry, genus, a large collection of flowering, perennial cultivars and species in the rose family and noted for its edible fruits. 'Red Ruby', however, produces very little fruit and is more typically grown as a flowering, low growing, ornamental ground cover that spreads by wire-like stolons. It is not found in the wild. 'Red Ruby' is bred for its deep pink to red flowers and long bloom cycle (Spring and Summer until frost). Plants are compact and about 5 inches high and 12 to 24 inches wide with semi-everegreen, glossy green foliage. The flowers themselves are 1/4 to 3/4 of an inch in diameter, with five petals.

'Red Ruby' does best in medium moisture, well-drained, organically rich soil in full sun or partial shade. Full sun allows the plant to set as many flowers as possible, although afternoon shade is recommended if the site is subject to summer heat. Also, if the soil is too rich, it will encourage the plant to produce more foliage at the expense of the flowers. As the plant matures, it sends out runners, or ground stolons, on the soil surface that result in daughter plants.The plant is deer resistant and winter hardy to 10 °F. and makes an excellent plant for a basket, or container.

Diseases, Insect Pests, and Other Plant Problems: 

No known diseases or insect pests.

More information on Fragaria x ananassa.

See this plant in the following landscape:
Cultivars / Varieties:
Tags:
#evergreen#red flowers#nectar plant#specialized bees#spreading#deer resistant#groundcover#edible fruits#pollinator plant#bird friendly#non-toxic for horses#non-toxic for dogs#non-toxic for cats#foliage#wildlife friendly
 
Cultivars / Varieties:
Tags:
#evergreen#red flowers#nectar plant#specialized bees#spreading#deer resistant#groundcover#edible fruits#pollinator plant#bird friendly#non-toxic for horses#non-toxic for dogs#non-toxic for cats#foliage#wildlife friendly
  • Attributes:
    Genus:
    Fragaria
    Family:
    Rosaceae
    Uses (Ethnobotany):
    ground cover
    Life Cycle:
    Perennial
    Wildlife Value:
    Members of the genus Fragaria support the following specialized bee: Andrena (Micrandrena) melanochroa.
    Play Value:
    Attracts Pollinators
    Edibility:
    Fruit is sporadic and small.
    Dimensions:
    Height: 0 ft. 3 in. - 0 ft. 5 in.
    Width: 1 ft. 0 in. - 2 ft. 0 in.
  • Whole Plant Traits:
    Plant Type:
    Edible
    Ground Cover
    Perennial
    Woody Plant Leaf Characteristics:
    Semi-evergreen
    Habit/Form:
    Creeping
    Spreading
    Growth Rate:
    Medium
    Maintenance:
    Medium
  • Cultural Conditions:
    Light:
    Full sun (6 or more hours of direct sunlight a day)
    Partial Shade (Direct sunlight only part of the day, 2-6 hours)
    Soil Texture:
    Clay
    High Organic Matter
    Loam (Silt)
    Soil Drainage:
    Good Drainage
    Available Space To Plant:
    12 inches-3 feet
    NC Region:
    Coastal
    Mountains
    Piedmont
    USDA Plant Hardiness Zone:
    5a, 5b, 6a, 6b, 7a, 7b, 8a, 8b, 9a, 9b
  • Fruit:
    Fruit Color:
    Red/Burgundy
    Fruit Value To Gardener:
    Edible
    Display/Harvest Time:
    Spring
    Summer
    Fruit Type:
    Berry
    Fruit Description:
    Only occasionally produces red edible fruit
  • Flowers:
    Flower Color:
    Pink
    Red/Burgundy
    Flower Value To Gardener:
    Long Bloom Season
    Showy
    Flower Bloom Time:
    Spring
    Summer
    Flower Petals:
    4-5 petals/rays
    Flower Size:
    1-3 inches
    Flower Description:
    Pink flowers are 1/4 to 3/4 inches. If the plants are growing vigorously, the leaves may partially obscure the pink petals.
  • Leaves:
    Woody Plant Leaf Characteristics:
    Semi-evergreen
    Leaf Color:
    Green
    Leaf Feel:
    Glossy
    Leaf Value To Gardener:
    Long-lasting
    Showy
    Leaf Arrangement:
    Alternate
    Leaf Margin:
    Dentate
    Hairs Present:
    No
    Leaf Length:
    1-3 inches
    Leaf Width:
    < 1 inch
    Leaf Description:
    Alternate, glossy, dark green leaves in groups of three.
  • Stem:
    Stem Is Aromatic:
    No
  • Landscape:
    Landscape Location:
    Container
    Hanging Baskets
    Walkways
    Landscape Theme:
    Pollinator Garden
    Design Feature:
    Border
    Mass Planting
    Attracts:
    Pollinators
    Specialized Bees
    Resistance To Challenges:
    Deer