Fragaria moschata aka Hautbois Strawberry

Fragaria moschata is the musk strawberry, also called hautboy strawberry. It belongs to the rose family, Rosaceae. Its native range spans Europe, southwest Siberia and the Caucasus. It is not native to Britain or Ireland. This temperate plant grows in woods, scrub and tall grass. It is an herbaceous perennial that loses its leaves seasonally.

Plants form clumps, then spread into mats through surface runners. Garden plants reach about 0.3–1.6 feet (0.1–0.5 metres) tall and wide. They reach their mature size in one to two years. Their runners can build a dense cover beneath shrubs. This spread can crowd out smaller plants nearby. Remove spare runners to keep growth within its space. Cut back old leaves as part of routine care.

White flowers appear in spring and summer, followed by red fruit. Upright stalks often hold the berries above the leaves. This makes the fruit easy to reach when picking. The berries are small, sweet, juicy and strongly scented. Their flavour has a mild musk note. They can be eaten raw, though crops may be sparse. PFAF lists no known hazards and no known medicinal uses. Its lack of listed hazards does not establish safety for every use.

Grow musk strawberry in fertile soil that stays moist but drains well. It accepts clay, loam or sand, with an acid or neutral pH. Full sun and partial shade both suit it. Choose a sheltered spot in the garden. RHS rates it H6 for cold hardiness. This covers winter lows near −20 to −15°C. PFAF lists USDA zones 5–9. Plants also suit pots filled with peat-free multipurpose compost.

Musk strawberry works as an edible ground cover or woodland-edge plant. It can also grow in patio pots and hanging baskets. Its runners let gardeners extend a patch without sowing seed. To make new plants, detach and transplant rooted runners. Seed offers another way to raise it. Watch for aphids, slugs and vine weevil. Viruses may affect plants, while grey mould can damage fruit. These problems matter in both fruit beds and ornamental plantings.