Where summer temperatures only reach 85 F., gardeners can choose luscious, disease-resistant, day-neutrals like Tribute and Tristar. Independence, a newer, late-season June-bearing type, has an excellent flavor. A late bloomer, it is rarely damaged by late frosts.
Bounty, a very late Canadian June-bearing type, and Nanaimo, a super sweet variety released by the Pacific Agricultural Food Research Centre, are noted for their flavor.
For the Northeastern and Midwestern states, flavorful varieties include Earliglow, Sparkle, and Jewel. Those in the West will be pleased with Chandler, while gardeners in the Northwest can choose from Totem and Redcrest.
Southern gardeners can depend upon Cardinal. Pelican, a disease-resistant variety, is ideal for the Southeast. In the warmer regions of the U.S. where strawberries can be grown in the winter, Camarosa and Pink Panda, a hardy British variety, are winners.
For the edible landscape, the variegated strawberry is stunning. The lovely white blooms appear from spring to fall, producing small fruits with an unmistakable wild strawberry flavor. Lipstick, a recently introduced day-neutral from the Netherlands, yields very sweet berries May through October. It is noted for its lovely pinkish-red blossoms.
Fort Laramy, the climbing strawberry, is superb for training on fences. It yields large sweet berries from June until frost. Before planting strawberries, first run a soil test. North Carolina residents can fill out the forms and receive the results online.
For small landscapes, strawberries are ideal container plants. Among the recommended varieties are Pink Panda, Fort Laramy, Lipstick, and the variegated one. The Charleston Porch Pouch, a burlap version of the plastic Flower Pouches, is an elegant alternative to hanging baskets. For a traditional look, use barrels or terra cotta strawberry jars with side pouches.
Strawberries are grown hydroponically, which eliminates soil-borne diseases. Concerning insects and disease problems, an abundance of illustrated material is online, including Cornell's Berry Diagnostic Tool. Regarding pesticides, always check with local appropriate sources, such as the extension service.
