Fragaria x ananassa
Common Name(s):
- Phonetic Spelling
- frah-GAYR-ee-ah ah-nah-NAH-sah
- Description
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Strawberries are a rosette-forming, broadleaf evergreen perennial in the Rosaceae (rose) family and originated in Europe as an accidental cross between a North American species and one from Chile. They are widely grown in gardens and commercially for the sweet red fruits. They grow 6 to 12 inches high and 1 to 2 feet wide and are generally classed as either June bearing or ever-bearing types.
Plant strawberries in full sun to partial shade and 1 to 2.5 feet apart in rows that are spaced 3 to 5 feet apart. They prefer highly organic loam or clay soil that is moist but has good drainage. Since the roots of strawberry plants are short, they need to be watered frequently with 1 inch of water. In the first year, pick off the blooms so that the plant can establish itself. The plants reproduce by sending out runners that easily root. These can be removed to encourage better fruit production. The plants generally need replacing every 3 to 4 years.Strawberries can be grown as a groundcover or a mass planting in beds, in raised beds, or in containers on a sunny patio. They are perfect in an edible garden.
Insects, Diseases, and Other Plant Problems: Strawberry plants have multiple pest and disease problems. See the Strawberry Diagnostic Key for a visual diagnostic guide to the diseases and disorders of strawberries.
VIDEO Created by Laura Barth for "Vegetables, Herbs, Fruits, and Nuts," a plant identification course developed in partnership with Longwood Gardens.
- Profile Video:
- See this plant in the following landscapes:
- Vegetable, Herb and Mostly Native Pollinator Garden No-Till Vegetable Garden Vegetable Garden at Paul J Ciener Botanical Garden
- Cultivars / Varieties:
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- 'Albion'
Ever-bearing, delicious, medium size, firm fruit June to frost. Resistant to verticillium not anthracnose. Thrives in mountains. - 'Camarosa'
One of the primary cultivars grown in NC; June-bearing, single high yield, large firm fruit - 'Chandler'
High yield, large, delicious, fruit. Great fresh or frozen. Ripens mid to late season. Grown throughout NC. Commercial Standard - 'Galletta'
High yielding, early bearing, large, glossy fruit that does not freeze well. All NC. - 'Jewel'
June-bearing, heavy producer of delicious, large, firm, glossy fruit that freezes well. Tolerates mold. Mountains & .Piedmont
'Pink Panda'
Everbearing, sweet fruit. Pink Flowers 'Red Ruby'
Red flowers. Good pollinator plant. Rarely fruits. - 'Albion'
- 'Albion', 'Camarosa', 'Chandler', 'Galletta', 'Jewel', 'Pink Panda', 'Red Ruby'
- Tags:
- Cultivars / Varieties:
-
- 'Albion'
Ever-bearing, delicious, medium size, firm fruit June to frost. Resistant to verticillium not anthracnose. Thrives in mountains. - 'Camarosa'
One of the primary cultivars grown in NC; June-bearing, single high yield, large firm fruit - 'Chandler'
High yield, large, delicious, fruit. Great fresh or frozen. Ripens mid to late season. Grown throughout NC. Commercial Standard - 'Galletta'
High yielding, early bearing, large, glossy fruit that does not freeze well. All NC. - 'Jewel'
June-bearing, heavy producer of delicious, large, firm, glossy fruit that freezes well. Tolerates mold. Mountains & .Piedmont
'Pink Panda'
Everbearing, sweet fruit. Pink Flowers 'Red Ruby'
Red flowers. Good pollinator plant. Rarely fruits. - 'Albion'
- 'Albion', 'Camarosa', 'Chandler', 'Galletta', 'Jewel', 'Pink Panda', 'Red Ruby'
- Tags:
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Attributes:
- Genus:
- Fragaria
- Species:
- x ananassa
- Family:
- Rosaceae
- Life Cycle:
- Perennial
- Country Or Region Of Origin:
- Europe
- Wildlife Value:
- Members of the genus Fragaria support the following specialized bee: Andrena (Micrandrena) melanochroa.
- Edibility:
- Edible fruits used raw or cooked.
- Dimensions:
- Height: 0 ft. 6 in. - 1 ft. 0 in.
- Width: 1 ft. 0 in. - 2 ft. 0 in.
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Whole Plant Traits:
- Plant Type:
- Edible
- Ground Cover
- Woody Plant Leaf Characteristics:
- Broadleaf Evergreen
- Habit/Form:
- Clumping
- Growth Rate:
- Medium
- Maintenance:
- High
- Texture:
- Medium
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Cultural Conditions:
- Light:
- Full sun (6 or more hours of direct sunlight a day)
- Partial Shade (Direct sunlight only part of the day, 2-6 hours)
- Soil Texture:
- Clay
- High Organic Matter
- Loam (Silt)
- Soil Drainage:
- Good Drainage
- Moist
- NC Region:
- Coastal
- Mountains
- Piedmont
- USDA Plant Hardiness Zone:
- 5a, 5b, 6a, 6b, 7a, 7b, 8a, 8b, 9a, 9b
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Fruit:
- Fruit Color:
- Red/Burgundy
- Fruit Value To Gardener:
- Edible
- Showy
- Display/Harvest Time:
- Summer
- Fruit Type:
- Achene
- Aggregate
- Fruit Length:
- 1-3 inches
- Fruit Width:
- 1-3 inches
- Fruit Description:
- The red, sweet, fleshy portion of a strawberry is an "accessory fruit" that holds the true fruits. Each of the seeds on the pitted surface are individual achenes developed from the flower's ovaries. They hang on long pedicels.
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Flowers:
- Flower Color:
- Gold/Yellow
- Pink
- Red/Burgundy
- White
- Flower Value To Gardener:
- Showy
- Flower Bloom Time:
- Spring
- Flower Shape:
- Saucer
- Flower Petals:
- 4-5 petals/rays
- Flower Size:
- < 1 inch
- Flower Description:
- 5-petaled white to reddish pink flowers with yellow centers, each with multiple stamens and pistils.
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Leaves:
- Woody Plant Leaf Characteristics:
- Broadleaf Evergreen
- Leaf Color:
- Green
- Deciduous Leaf Fall Color:
- Gold/Yellow
- Orange
- Red/Burgundy
- Leaf Type:
- Compound (Pinnately , Bipinnately, Palmately)
- Leaf Arrangement:
- Rosulate
- Leaf Shape:
- Orbicular
- Ovate
- Leaf Margin:
- Dentate
- Hairs Present:
- Yes
- Leaf Length:
- 1-3 inches
- Leaf Width:
- 1-3 inches
- Leaf Description:
- The leaves are trifoliate, dark green with paler and hairy undersides. Leaflets are ovate to orbicular and the lateral veins are parallel.
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Stem:
- Stem Is Aromatic:
- No
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Landscape:
- Landscape Location:
- Container
- Hanging Baskets
- Landscape Theme:
- Edible Garden
- Design Feature:
- Mass Planting
- Attracts:
- Pollinators
- Specialized Bees
