Musk Strawberry
Fragaria moschata
The musk strawberry, also known as hautbois or haut boy, is an heirloom species native to Europe. The plants are hardy and can survive in many weather conditions. The berries can be nearly round or oval and come to a point at the end. They can also be used as a ground cover because of the extensive runners each plant sends out. This variety is a favorite in the gourmet community for the intense aroma and flavor, which has been compared to a mixture of regular strawberry, raspberry and pineapple
Height: 6″ to 14″
Zones: 5 – 10
Harvest: June to August
Container: yes
Deer Resistant: yes
Plant Color: green
Fruit Color: brownish red or rose-violet
Life Cycle: perennial
Spacing:
Juglone Tolerant: unknown
Sunlight: sun to shade
Soil:
Water:
Design Styles: dedicated potager bed, groundcover
Guild Use: herbaceous layer, dynamic accumulator
History
This variety of strawberry, a member of the rose family, is found on forest edges of Central Europe, north into Scandinavia, and east into Russia. They have been cultivated by small growers, mostly in Italy, although are now mostly grown in home gardens.
Uses
These are ways you can use this plant in your landscape or farm:
* groundcover, spreading by runners
* fragrance gardens
* fresh eating and for gourmet desserts
Design
The Musk strawberry can be grown in containers, including hanging baskets, and then brought in to protected spaces in winter. They can be used in as a ground cover in forest garden design, and as the herbaceous layer in a tree guild. For production, plant in a prepared garden bed.
Benefits
Although this perennial plant is not native to the United States, it provides the same benefits as other strawberry varieties. If you like fruit on your desserts, then this is the selection for your gourmet type desserts as it is considered by strawberry connoisseurs to have the best flavor of all strawberries.
Parting Thoughts
Some parting thoughts about this plant – maybe a recipe if a food plant.
Maybe a warning is allergic, brambles, etc.
The aroma of musk strawberry is so powerful that a few ripe berries can perfume a room. As a ground cover, take note that the musk strawberry grows well with shrubs, but will likely suffocate smaller plants.
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