It is the ideal choice for low-light beds under trees. The golden strawberry knows how to assert itself even against powerful root competition. With its golden-yellow carpet of flowers, the wintergreen Waldsteinia stands out as a magnificent border for graves. The following answers to frequently asked questions reveal what additional conditions are required and how successful cultivation can be achieved perfectly.
What is special about the Waldsteinia plant?
The Waldsteinia, also known as the golden strawberry, is a hardy plant that is ideal as a ground cover for low-light beds under trees. It prefers partially shaded to shady locations, humus-rich, well-drained soil and requires little care. In spring it delights with bright yellow cup flowers.
Planting Waldsteinia correctly
When the days get shorter in autumn, the planting time for Waldsteinia has come. Choose a partially shaded to shady location with moderately dry to fresh soil. Thorough weeding and the removal of roots and stones begins the planting process. Then dig the planting pits at a distance of 25-35 cm. Collect the soil in a wheelbarrow (€59.00 on Amazon) to mix in leaf compost and horn shavings. The potted young plants are placed in the middle of a hole that is filled with the substrate up to the lower pair of leaves. Now press the soil with your hands and water.
Care tips
You will spend very little time caring for a golden strawberry. The following measures are important:
- When it is dry, water in summer and winter
- Soft rainwater and normal tap water alternately
- A starter fertilization with leaf compost and horn shavings in March
- Pruning back withered flower stems only to prevent self-sowing
- Cutting the winter-stressed leaves close to the ground in January/February
In autumn we recommend covering the root disc with leaf compost. The organic material protects the root ball from constant moisture and keeps the soil life vital.read more
Which location is suitable?
The golden strawberry is at its best in a semi-shady and shady location. This is particularly true in moderately dry to freshly moist soil that is well-drained and humus-rich. A neutral pH value of around 7 is beneficial for vitality and abundance of flowers.
The correct planting distance
As a prime example of a group plant, the golden strawberry comes into its own wonderfully in tuffs or in a flat arrangement. The Waldsteinia almost doubles its height of 10-20 cm in width. With a planting distance of 25-35 cm you create dense ground cover. In large areas, in the best case scenario, place 8-12 specimens per square meter.
What soil does the plant need?
Waldsteinia particularly loves the loose, humus-rich soil on tree slices and along tree edges. The soil should be rich in nutrients and not too moist. First-class water drainage is essential, because the otherwise robust perennial cannot tolerate waterlogging.
What is the best time to plant?
Waldsteinia is one of the classic perennials with robust winter hardiness right from the start. Therefore, choose the autumn months of September to mid-November as the planting time. At this time of year, the soil has retained the sun's heat, which is very beneficial for rapid rooting.
When is flowering time?
The countless, bright yellow cupped flowers with five overlapping petals appear from April to June. The flower spectacle is accompanied by dark green, three-toothed leaves. Thanks to a brownish-red foliage color from autumn onwards, the golden strawberry also decorates the garden during the cold season.
Cut Waldsteinia correctly
Cut off the withered flowers down to the evergreen foliage unless you want to self-sow. It's not worth the effort to get another bloom because the perennial doesn't replant. At the end of winter, if the reddish-brown foliage has lost its beauty, cut the leaves close to the ground. Thanks to this caution, the fresh shoots have free rein for another flower-filled garden season.
Water Waldsteinia
If the site conditions meet all the requirements, normal rainfall is sufficient for an adequate water supply. Only water the Waldsteinia when the soil surface is noticeably dry. For the ideal pH value, it is advantageous if you alternate between normal tap water and soft rain or pond water.
Fertilize Waldsteinia properly
At the start of the season, the golden strawberry is happy about a portion of leaf compost with horn shavings. Work the organic material into the root disc superficially and then water. In the fall, cover the soil again with leaf compost without incorporating it. In this way, it acts as a natural winter protection and provides the soil organisms with plenty of supplies for the next growing season.
Wintering
The golden strawberry is completely hardy. While other perennials retreat into their root balls, the robust Waldsteinia diligently decorates your garden all winter long. As a supporting measure, we recommend covering the root disc with leaf compost in autumn without incorporating the material. In this way, the evergreen plant receives natural winter protection while at the same time the soil life is revitalized.
Propagate Waldsteinia
By dividing the root ball, you can multiply the Waldsteinia in no time. Dig up the perennial in spring or fall. On a firm surface, divide the root ball into several segments, each with at least 2-3 shoots. In a semi-shady to shady location, place the sections in the humus-rich, fresh to moderately dry soil while maintaining the previous planting depth and water.read more
Waldsteinia in a pot
You won't enjoy a golden strawberry in a pot. Rather, the vigorous perennial unfolds its full splendor in large groups of 10 or more specimens. Predestined as a flowering ground cover for shady locations, the Waldsteinia as a solitary plant in a pot falls far short of expectations.
Is Waldsteinia poisonous?
The Waldsteinia is a non-poisonous ornamental plant. The rose plant is therefore ideal for greening low-light beds in the family garden. Although the golden strawberry is botanically closely related to garden strawberries, the fruits are still inedible due to their high content of bitter substances. If your child ever tastes it, there is no reason to worry. Because of the bile taste, we're left with this one test anyway.read more
Is Waldsteinia ternata suitable as a lawn replacement?
As a ground cover, the carpet goldberry has medium tread resistance. As long as you are not considering the perennial as a replacement for a playing or sports lawn, it can certainly be considered as a substitute for lawn. As current field tests by the Bavarian State Institute for Viticulture and Horticulture have shown, the plant develops a largely wear-resistant lawn replacement within 3 years. The Waldsteinia greens problematic locations in the shade and under the root pressure of mighty trees with an easy-care, magnificently flowering, evergreen cushion.
