Northwest Blooms · Groundcovers
Waldsteinia ternata
Barren Strawberry
- Family
- Rosaceae
- Height
- 4 to 6 in
- Width
- 12 to 24 in
- Flower color
- Clear, bright yellow with five rounded petals surrounding a small golden center
- Foliage color
- Glossy, trifoliate leaves in deep green, often remaining evergreen in mild climates and taking on bronze tones in winter
- Bloom time
- Mid to late spring
- Light
- Partial shade to full shade
- Water
- Moderate
- Maintenance
- Low; spreads gradually by runners and benefits from occasional thinning
- Growing zone
- USDA zones 4 to 8
- Wildlife
- Bees and other early-season pollinators
About this plant
Waldsteinia ternata forms a dense carpet of glossy, three-lobed green leaves that remain tidy through the growing season. In mid to late spring, bright yellow, five-petaled flowers rise just above the foliage, creating a luminous ground-level display. Native to central and eastern Europe, it spreads steadily by short rhizomes, knitting the surface into an even, leafy cover.
Gardeners value its ability to weave gentle color through shaded borders, woodland paths, and beneath shrubs, where the persistent foliage maintains continuity beyond the flowering period. Long-lived colonies provide structure and seasonal brightness, supporting layered plantings and soft transitions between larger perennials and ground-hugging companions.
Works well in
Woodland Gardens · Under Trees · Pathways & Walkways · Pollinator Gardens
Companion plants
Acorus · Skimmias · Astilbes · Blechnums · Carexes · Heucheras
Design tip
Use broad drifts to create a seamless transition between shrubs, trees, and taller woodland perennials. The glossy foliage provides a consistent foundation, while bright spring flowers illuminate shaded spaces and guide the eye naturally through the landscape.
Where to see it
This plant can be seen at the Bellevue Botanical Garden.
