Siberian Waldsteinia (Waldsteinia ternata) Growing & Care Guide for Gardeners
Article by Dean Ravenscroft, Ph.D. - Updated 1st Feb 2024
- Plant Characteristics: Features glossy, trifoliate leaves and bright yellow flowers in spring. A low-growing, evergreen groundcover that resembles strawberry plants but produces no edible fruit.
- Growing & Care: Prefers partial shade to full sun and well-drained soil. Tolerates a range of soil types, including dry, poor soils. Drought-resistant once established.
- Tips for New Gardeners: A hardy and easy-to-grow plant, perfect for covering large areas. Requires minimal care once established. Ideal for naturalizing in woodland gardens or shady areas.
Waldsteinia ternata is a mat-forming plant that makes a great ground cover plant for the garden.
The plant is low maintenance, but can be tricky to get established.
Waldsteinia Ternata plants photograph by enbodenumer; CC.
It is able to grow in partial shade (preferable) and full sun, and prefers to grow in a sheltered location with a fairly fertile soil that is not overly alkaline.
Barren Strawberry photograph by Agnieszka Kwiecień, Creative Commons.
The common name for this plant is the Barren Strawberry, though it is also referred to as Ternate or Siberian waldsteinia.
The native growing range for this plant ranges from central Europe to East Asia.
This low growing, carpet forming, semi-evergreen plant naturally grows in clumps, and can easily spread from its stolon or rhizomes.
Although this is ideal for a ground cover plant, please be aware that it may take a little effort to control and may become invasive in some areas, so please check you local area growing recommendations before growing in the garden.
As the spreading of Barren Strawberry has a steady nature, it is not considered invasive in Europe.
Plants usually reach about 4 to 6 inches (10 to 15 cm) in height, and after about five years of growth can reach a width of up to two feet (60 cm).
Waldsteinia Ternata photograph by Ivan Forsman, CC.
Waldsteinia ternata gets its common name from its leaves, which have three leaflets and resemble those of strawberries. The leaves are shiny, green, and grow as a rosette.
Waldsteinia ternata leaves, image by andreasbalzer; CC.
The plant blooms from April to June in its native range. Plants carry a solitary saucer-shaped flower with five petals that is carried above the main leaves. Flowers are about 2/3rd inch (1.5 cm) in diameter. Once blooming has completed, the plant bears an inedible berry.
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Waldsteinia ternata Growing and Care Guide
- Scientific Name: Waldsteinia ternata.
- Common Name: Siberian waldsteinia, Ternate Waldsteinia, Barren Strawberry.
- Garden Use Groundcover, Edging, Under planting shrubs.
- Growing Zone: USA: 4 to 8; UK Hardiness H7 (Very hardy to less than —20°C (-4°F), perhaps as low as —40°C (-40°F).
- Life Cycle / Plant Type: Perennial, Semi-evergreen, Rhizomatous, Spreading habit.
Plant Details
- Plant Height: 2 to 6 inches (4 to 15 cm).
- Plant Spread: 6 to 30 inches (15 to 90 cm).
- Time of Bloom: Late spring through to early summer.
- Flower Details: Yellow. Solitary. Five petals.
- Leaf Foliage: Green. Trifoliate. Rosette.
- Fruit: Berry.
- Growth Form: Spreading / horizontal.
Ideal Growing Conditions
- Best Light Conditions: Partial shade to full sunlight.
- Suitable Soil Types: Slightly fertile soils. Loamy, Neutral to acidic,
- Soil Moisture: Moist, Well drained.
- Sowing and Propagation: Propagate: Spreads from stolon. or by division in the early spring or start of autumn. Space at about 12 inches (30 cm).
- Rate of Growth: Fast to grow, average to spread.
Caring Conditions
- Waldsteinia ternata Care:
- Level of Maintenance: Low
- Waldsteinia ternata Care May require weeding, removal of stolon, and deadheading to prevent from spreading to areas where it is not required.
- How to Prune: No pruning required.
- Pests and Diseases: Usually pest and disease free.
Further Information
- Can Attract: Small insect pollinators.
- Tolerant of: Deer, Rabbits, Drought.
- Best Garden Use: Border, Ground cover, Rock garden, Seashore, Woodland garden.
- Miscellaneous: Attractive foliage
- Genus Detail: The Waldsteinia genus has six members.
- Further Reading and References: RHS Growing information; Barren Strawberry Conservation; and Missouri Botanic garden guide
- Family: Rosaceae (Roses)
- Closely Related Species: Rugosa Rose; Mountain Avens; Lady's mantle; Spiraea; Meadowsweet; Wood Avens; and Scarlet Pirpiri.
I hope that you enjoyed this guide on how to grow Waldsteinia Ternata. You may also enjoy the following garden plant growing guides: Hibiscus plants and Polyantha Roses.
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