Data provided by the participants of the Consortium of California Herbaria

View additional distribution information on the Jepson eflora

Horticultural selection from Fragaria chiloensis. Lipstick is an extremely showy, easy-care ground cover for a wide variety of garden situations. Plant it in full sun on the coast, part shade inland and it will reward you with bright pink flowers from mid spring until mid fall. It's small shiny fruits are not as tasty as the woodland strawberry, but the birds are not so picky. It is a fast grower to 4"-6" high and 1'-2' wide. Water this ideal ground cover regularly during it's first growing season to establish a deep, extensive root system. This strawberry can tolerate regular garden water or infrequent irrigation. With regular water and partial shade Lipstick can make a wonderful lawn replacement. It is also ideal in borders, containers, rock gardens or as an embankment stabilizer. Tolerates almost any soil type. Prefers sun or part shade in coastal sites, and part shade or shade in inland sites. Selected for the garden.

Plant type

Perennial herb

Size

3 - 6 in Tall
1 - 2 ft Wide

Form

Prostrate, spreading

Growth rate

Fast

Dormancy

Evergreen

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Color

Pink

Flowering season

Spring, Summer, Fall

Special uses

Groundcover, Deer resistant

Sun

Partial Shade, Full Sun

Water

Moderate

Ease of care

Easy

Cold tolerance

15

Soil drainage

Fast, Medium, Slow

Soil description

Tolerates a wide variety of soils.
Soil PH: 5.6 - 6.3

Sunset Zones

4, 5, 7*, 8*, 9*, 14, 15, 16, 17, 19*, 20*, 21*, 22, 23, 24

Use with other low growing coastal plants such as Sand Verbena (Abronia latifolia or umbellata), Beach bur (Ambrosia chamissonis), Beach Morning Glory (Calystegia soldanella), Seaside Daisy (Erigeron spp.), and Coast Gumweed (Grindelia strict)

Bats
Birds
Caterpillars
Butterflies