Golden strawberry, Waldsteinia – location, care and propagation

The Waldsteinia is not a lushly flowering ornamental plant, but rather one of the evergreen, ground-covering plants . The golden strawberry needs a light location in the penumbra. A few hours of sunshine a day promote the growth of the plant. However, older, firmly rooted perennials also thrive in direct sunlight and shady garden areas. However, the composition of the soil is more important for the ornamental plant than choosing the right location: because the golden strawberry is a moisture-loving plant. The substrate must always be moist and permeable to air, loamy stone or sandy soils are preferred. The pH of the soil should be between 6.5 and 7.5.

watering and fertilizing

The evergreen plants can easily cope with a short dry period in summer. However, a regular supply of lime-free water is more beneficial for the growth and resilience of golden strawberries. Water either early morning or early evening. This minimizes the evaporation rate and larger amounts of the valuable liquid go directly to the roots. However, do not let the substrate of the plants dry out even in winter. Like other evergreen plants, the Waldsteinia must be watered sufficiently on frost-free days. Preferably use lukewarm water and avoid waterlogging. You can also use pebbles to ensure that excess water is removed more quickly.

When it comes to the supply of nutrients, the ground-covering ornamental plants do not make any special demands. Work compost or horn shavings under the substrate in early spring and late fall. Be careful with this work, because the golden strawberries form a dense and widely branched root system with their creeping roots. The dense growth of the plants also makes it difficult to bring in the important nutrients. To avoid this effort, you can also supply the ornamental plant with a long or liquid fertilizer. However, you should use the fertilizers sparingly, because the plant is extremely frugal.

multiply

Golden strawberries like to spread them themselves. If the location and substrate are right, the plant will quickly multiply itself through so-called offshoots. Curb the growth and spread of the ornamental plant with a bed border. In autumn you can carefully lift the plants out of the ground with a digging fork. Cut the connection between the rooted golden strawberries and transplant the subplants to the desired location.

Propagation via seeds only plays a minor role in the Waldsteinia. Because the plant is not considered to be particularly floriferous, and if you do not purchase seeds directly from specialist shops, you should use the offshoots of the golden strawberry.

planting

The Waldsteinia flowers only briefly between April and June. The evergreen plant gets its name from its delicate, yellow flowers and strawberry-like foliage. The growth height of a maximum of 10 – 30 centimeters makes up for the ground-covering plant with its carpet-like spread. Each of the ground-covering plants can reach a width of up to 60 centimeters, plus the numerous rooted foothills. Planted correctly, however, the golden strawberries will hinder their growth after two to three growing seasons and form a dense, green surface. When planting, keep a minimum distance of about 15 – 25 centimeters per shrub. However, to quickly cover a bare spot, you can plant up to 10 plants per square meter. For planting you will need:

• tool
• lime-free water
• if necessary clay, sand and pebbles
• compost and humus

The versatile, evergreen plant can be planted directly under trees, in stone beds and also on graves. Dry soils are upgraded with clay, compost and pebbles. Treat the roots of the plant to a water bath for several hours before moving to the new location. You can also make it easier for the golden strawberry to root by digging out a sufficiently large planting hole. Cover the bottom of the hole with semi-mature compost. Due to the slow decomposition, the nutrients are only gradually released into the environment. The entire root ball is covered with soil and this is pressed firmly. Water generously and regularly, especially for the first few days. Evergreen plants should be planted in early fall. This gives the plants enough time

hibernate

Once firmly rooted, the golden strawberry cannot be harmed even by long-lasting, double-digit minus temperatures. A special overwintering protection for these plants is therefore superfluous. The only care measure that you should not neglect in winter is the supply of lime-free water on frost-free days.

To cut

Pruning the plant with the hairy leaves is only necessary if you want to curb its spread. If necessary, remove ailing and stained leaves, you can replace weak plants with the healthy parts of other golden strawberries. This will give the evergreen carpet a healthy appearance and at the same time prevent diseases and pest infestation.

Care and planting tips

Golden strawberries are versatile in the garden and can also be used decoratively on other green areas. The plants, which come from Europe and Asia, require little care and can be left to their own devices for a longer period of time. Diseases and pests rarely occur with the robust, evergreen perennial. However, as a young plant, it demands a location that meets its requirements.

• The vigorous rose plants are extremely competitive. Weeds and other perennials rarely have a chance to gain a foothold at the planting site of the Waldsteinia together with the plant. This makes the golden strawberry ideal for hanging or stone beds, for example. But you can also use the flat-rooted plant for greening arbor and garage roofs.
• In the fall, remove most of the shed leaves from large deciduous trees. The evergreen ground covers prefer a deciduous compost, but the perennials must not disappear completely under the withering material. By removing it, you reduce the formation of rot.
• The rhizomes of the golden strawberries can be easily cut through with a spade or secateurs. In this way you curb the strong urge of the plants to spread. You can, for example, fill in gaps with the freshly separated partial plants or give your neighbors a “green” treat.
• You can avoid root rot by watering the plants regularly, but in small amounts. However, the substrate must not dry out, and compacted soil should – as far as possible – be loosened regularly. If the golden strawberry grows sluggishly and a dull odor penetrates the soil, you should remove the entire perennial and dispose of it in the compost. Effective remedies against root rot are not available in specialist shops, you can maintain and promote the health of the ground-covering plants simply by preventing them.
• The strong growth of golden strawberries also makes them attractive as a robust container plant on the balcony or terrace.

sorts

• Waldsteinia ternata: The three-leaved golden strawberry is one of the low-growing Waldsteinia varieties. It reaches a height of up to 15 centimetres, but also spreads enormously in width due to its creeping growth.
• Waldsteinia geoides: This spring bloomer can also be found under the names “Waldsteinia” and “Ungarwurz”. The ground cover has a height of about 30 centimeters, which of course does not prevent it from growing in a clump. The flower color of this plant is also golden yellow. Unlike “Waldsteinia ternata”, you can also plant this variety selectively. Waldsteinia geoides hardly forms any runners and is therefore not suitable for extensive greening of the garden floor.
• Waldsteinia fragarioides: The perennial strawberry Waldsteinia belongs to the late bloomers. Its flowering time is between May and July, the plant height of this variety is between 5 and 20 centimeters.

Conclusion
Golden strawberries are ideal for greening the ground around shrubs and tall perennials. The ground cover prefers semi-shady locations and is easy to care for and almost completely undemanding in cultivation. Waldsteinia are also extremely fast-growing and prolific.