Bulbs
Flower Basics
Flower Beds & Specialty Gardens
Flower Garden
Garden Furniture
Garden Gnomes
Garden Seeds
Garden Sheds
Garden Statues
Garden Tools & Supplies
Gardening Basics
Green & Organic
Groundcovers & Vines
Growing Annuals
Growing Basil
Growing Beans
Growing Berries
Growing Blueberries
Growing Cactus
Growing Corn
Growing Cotton
Growing Edibles
Growing Flowers
Growing Garlic
Growing Grapes
Growing Grass
Growing Herbs
Growing Jasmine
Growing Mint
Growing Mushrooms
Orchids
Growing Peanuts
Growing Perennials
Growing Plants
Growing Rosemary
Growing Roses
Growing Strawberries
Growing Sunflowers
Growing Thyme
Growing Tomatoes
Growing Tulips
Growing Vegetables
Herb Basics
Herb Garden
Indoor Growing
Landscaping Basics
Landscaping Patios
Landscaping Plants
Landscaping Shrubs
Landscaping Trees
Landscaping Walks & Pathways
Lawn Basics
Lawn Maintenance
Lawn Mowers
Lawn Ornaments
Lawn Planting
Lawn Tools
Outdoor Growing
Overall Landscape Planning
Pests, Weeds & Problems
Plant Basics
Rock Garden
Rose Garden
Shrubs
Soil
Specialty Gardens
Trees
Vegetable Garden
Yard Maintenance
Can Children Eat Ornamental Strawberry Plants?
Can Children Eat Ornamental Strawberry Plants?. Ornamental strawberries are grown for the landscape value of their pink flowers and bright green leaves. They also produce small red fruit which curious children may eat without harm. This is fortunate, as children are attracted to the color red, red fruit and juicy strawberries in particular. When it...
Ornamental strawberries are grown for the landscape value of their pink flowers and bright green leaves. They also produce small red fruit which curious children may eat without harm. This is fortunate, as children are attracted to the color red, red fruit and juicy strawberries in particular. When it comes to the leaves, though, some caution should be taken by all children and adults not to ingest the leaves unless carefully prepared as tea.
Fruit
Even the small fruit of ornamental strawberries will attract children, and it is perfectly safe for them to eat the little berries. Ornamental strawberries are fragaria hybrids, a cross between a strawberry (Fragaria) and the marsh cinquefoil (Potentilla palustris). Although tiny, the fruit is edible, but the berries will probably not be as delicious as berries from plants grown for fruit production. If a child has a reaction to the berries, he is likely allergic to all strawberries and they should be avoided.
Leaves
Children should be cautioned not to eat the leaves of ornamental strawberry plants. Fresh leaves can do no harm, neither can completely dried ones. However, leaves that have been plucked and become wilted or partially dry can experience a toxic chemical change. When fresh healthy foliage is carefully and completely dried, the leaves from ornamental strawberries can be used as a tea ingredient.
Varieties
Ornamental strawberries are grown massed in beds or as ground cover. The best ornamental strawberry varieties are those with deep pink abundant flowers such as Fragaria "Lipsitck". It grows 6 to 8 inches tall and spreads 12 inches wide. Pink Panda has lighter and smaller, 1-inch wide pink flowers but is widely available.
Culture
Grow ornamental strawberry plants in full sun or light shade. Pink flowers appear abundantly from spring to fall. The leaves are evergreen year-round in most zones. In colder areas, cut back in late winter to renew the plant. This eliminates droopy old foliage and stimulates the production of fresh green leaves in spring. Ornamental plants reproduce by runners and can invade lawns.
