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Fragaria x ananassa

Common Name(s):

Phonetic Spelling
frah-GAYR-ee-ah ah-nah-NAH-sah
Description

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 Elisabeth Meyer for "Vegetables, Herbs, Fruits, and Nuts" a plant identification course offered in partnership with Longwood Gardens.   

Profile Video:
See this plant in the following landscapes:
No-Till Vegetable Garden Vegetable Garden at Paul J Ciener Botanical Garden
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' Fragaria 'Pink Panda'
    Everbearing, sweet fruit. Pink Flowers
    'Red Ruby' Fragaria 'Red Ruby'
    Red flowers. Good pollinator plant. Rarely fruits.
'Albion', 'Camarosa', 'Chandler', 'Galletta', 'Jewel', 'Pink Panda', 'Red Ruby'
Tags:
#evergreen#edible plant#low growing#nectar plant#fall interest#hanging baskets#showy fruits#specialized bees#stolons#herbaceous perennial#red fruits#groundcover#edible fruits#pollinator plant#edible garden#ebh#ebh-fn#bee friendly#non-toxic for horses#non-toxic for dogs#non-toxic for cats#container plant#vhfn#vhfn-f#early childhood#wildlife friendly#child#children#preschool#early care#easy edibles
 
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' Fragaria 'Pink Panda'
    Everbearing, sweet fruit. Pink Flowers
    'Red Ruby' Fragaria 'Red Ruby'
    Red flowers. Good pollinator plant. Rarely fruits.
'Albion', 'Camarosa', 'Chandler', 'Galletta', 'Jewel', 'Pink Panda', 'Red Ruby'
Tags:
#evergreen#edible plant#low growing#nectar plant#fall interest#hanging baskets#showy fruits#specialized bees#stolons#herbaceous perennial#red fruits#groundcover#edible fruits#pollinator plant#edible garden#ebh#ebh-fn#bee friendly#non-toxic for horses#non-toxic for dogs#non-toxic for cats#container plant#vhfn#vhfn-f#early childhood#wildlife friendly#child#children#preschool#early care#easy edibles
  • 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.
  • Whole Plant Traits:
    Plant Type:
    Edible
    Ground Cover
    Woody Plant Leaf Characteristics:
    Broadleaf Evergreen
    Habit/Form:
    Clumping
    Growth Rate:
    Medium
    Maintenance:
    High
    Texture:
    Medium
  • 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
  • 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.
  • 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.
  • 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.
  • Stem:
    Stem Is Aromatic:
    No
  • Landscape:
    Landscape Location:
    Container
    Hanging Baskets
    Landscape Theme:
    Edible Garden
    Design Feature:
    Mass Planting
    Attracts:
    Pollinators
    Specialized Bees