Wild strawberry plants taking over my Chrysogonum virginianum beds !!!!!

Question

Wild strawberry plants are taking over my Chrysogonum virginianum beds.Am in the process of trying to pulling them out but am afraid I am doing as much harm than good. Would hate to to start over after all of these years! Is there a safe product to use that will not kill the
Chrysogonum virginianum, the strawberries are covering about 2/3rds of the area and it is a BIG area. Please advise.

Answer 1

This is probably the invasive false or mock strawberry, Duchesnea indica. Native strawberries have white flowers, mock has yellow. I can think of nothing that will kill mock strawberry and not injure your Chrysogonum. Hand pulling or using a small foam paintbrush to apply herbicide are your choices. You might take the opportunity to dig up clumps, separate out the strawberry, improve the soil with some compost then replant.