Fragaria 'Lipstick', lipstick strawberry
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Vines & Groundcovers

Fragaria 'Lipstick'

lipstick strawberry

Rosaceae

At a Glance

TypePerennial
HabitSpreading
FoliageSemi-evergreen
Height4–6 inches (10–15 cm)
Width18–24 inches (45–60 cm)
Maturity1 years

Growing Zones

USDA Hardiness Zones

4 - 9
Zone 4
Zone 5
Zone 6
Zone 7
Zone 8
Zone 9
These zones indicate the coldest temperatures this plant can typically survive.
Frost Tolerancehardy

Key Features

Attracts Pollinators
Container Friendly
Maintenancelow

Overview

Fragaria 'Lipstick' is an ornamental hybrid strawberry in the family Rosaceae, bred as a groundcover and container plant prized for its long season of bright rose-pink flowers rather than fruit production. The cultivar is thought to be a hybrid involving Fragaria × ananassa (garden strawberry) and possibly Potentilla palustris (marsh cinquefoil), producing a low-growing, stoloniferous mat 4–6 inches (10–15 cm) tall spreading 18–24 inches (45–60 cm) or more by runners. Three-part (trifoliate), toothed, glossy green leaves are characteristic of the genus; new foliage emerges with a slight bronze tint. Vivid rose-pink to deep pink flowers, 0.75–1 inch (2–2.5 cm) across, are produced continuously from mid-spring through autumn in Pacific Northwest gardens — a much longer flowering season than fruiting strawberry cultivars. Small, ornamental red fruits follow the flowers and are attractive to birds. 'Lipstick' is grown primarily as an ornamental flowering groundcover; while the fruits are edible, they are small and of modest flavor compared to fruiting varieties.

Native Range

Not native; a horticultural hybrid of garden origin with no independent native range. The parent species involved include North American and Eurasian strawberry and cinquefoil relatives. Widely grown in temperate gardens of North America, Europe, and the Pacific Northwest as an ornamental groundcover.

Suggested Uses

'Lipstick' is an excellent long-blooming ornamental groundcover for sunny to lightly shaded borders, container baskets and window boxes, rock gardens, and edging paths and beds. Its continuous pink flowers provide months of color interest from spring through autumn. Effective as a low-maintenance lawn alternative in small areas. The flowers attract bees and the fruits attract birds, making it valuable for wildlife gardens. Good in combination with other low-growing perennials such as Ajuga, creeping Veronica, and Thymus in mixed groundcover plantings.

How to Identify

'Lipstick' is identified by its low-growing, runner-spreading strawberry-type plant with three-parted, toothed, glossy green leaves and vivid rose-pink to deep pink flowers noticeably more intensely colored than the white flowers of most strawberry species. The continuous flowering habit from spring through autumn distinguishes it from standard fruiting strawberries. Small red fruits are produced following the flowers. Growth habit is low and mat-forming, spreading by slender stolons rooting at nodes.

Appearance

Size & Dimensions

Height4" - 6"
Width/Spread1'6" - 2'

Reaches mature size in approximately 1 years

Colors

Flower Colors

pink

Foliage Colors

green

Fall Foliage Colors

no change

Bloom Information

Bloom Period

~24 weeks
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'Lipstick' is a long-season bloomer, producing rose-pink flowers continuously from April or May through October in Pacific Northwest gardens, with heaviest flushes in spring and early autumn. The everblooming habit is the primary ornamental value of the cultivar. Individual flowers last several days; the continuous production of new buds maintains the floral display throughout the growing season under adequate moisture and nutrition.

Detailed Descriptions

Flower Description

Vivid rose-pink to deep pink

Foliage Description

Glossy green, trifoliate, slight bronze tint on new growth

Growing Conditions

Sun Requirements

Full Sun
Partial Shade
Requires 4-8 hours of direct sunlight daily
• Full Sun: 6+ hours of direct sunlight
• Partial Shade: 3-6 hours of direct sunlight
• Full Shade: Less than 3 hours of direct sunlight

Soil Requirements

pH Range5.5 - 7.0(Neutral)
357912
Soil Types
loamclaysand
Drainage
well drained

Water & Climate

Water Needs

Medium

Frost Tolerance

hardy

Time to Maturity

1 year

Care & Maintenance

Care Guide

Plant 'Lipstick' in moist to average, well-drained soil in full sun to partial shade. Consistent moisture promotes the best continuous flowering; the plant tolerates brief drought once established but flowering intensity diminishes under prolonged dry conditions. Top-dress with balanced slow-release fertilizer in early spring to fuel the long blooming season. Remove spent runners periodically to control spread if compact groundcover is desired, or allow to spread freely as a naturalized mat. In Pacific Northwest gardens, the plant is generally fully hardy and requires minimal winter protection. Divide congested mats every two to three years in early spring to maintain vigor.

Pruning

Cut back the entire planting by one-third to one-half in late summer (August) to remove tired foliage and spent runners, stimulate fresh growth, and encourage strong autumn flowering. Remove excess runners throughout the season to control spread. In late autumn or early spring, cut back any winter-damaged foliage. Division in early spring every two to three years refreshes vigor.

Pruning Schedule

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summerearly spring

Maintenance Level

low

Container Growing

✓ Suitable for container growing

Minimum container size: 2 gallons

⚠️ Toxicity Warning

Non-toxic