Everbearing strawberry (Fragaria EVERSWEET)
Grow Fragaria EVERSWEET, a productive Everbearing strawberry, perfect for Zone 5-8 gardens yielding fruit from spring till frost.
Scroll down to discover growing tips, care requirements, companion plants, and more
Complete Plant Information
Overview
The Everbearing strawberry, specifically the Fragaria EVERSWEET cultivar, is highly valued by home gardeners for its extended fruiting season compared to traditional Junebearers. This variety excels by producing fruit in two main flushes—one in the spring and subsequent crops roughly every six weeks through the fall, extending harvest availability considerably. As a low-growing, stoloniferous perennial, it forms attractive runners and offers sweet, fragrant berries perfect for immediate consumption.
While the berries produced by this Everbearing strawberry tend to be slightly smaller than those from Junebearing types, the trade-off is a reliable, season-long supply of edible fruit. Gardeners must commit to high maintenance, which includes diligent watering and pest monitoring, to ensure optimal production from their Fragaria EVERSWEET patch. Successful cultivation requires rich, well-drained soil and plenty of direct sunlight.
The plant offers subtle ornamental appeal with its five-petaled white flowers before transitioning into glossy red fruit, making it a functional and moderately attractive addition to dedicated fruit-growing areas. For those seeking continuous harvest rather than one large, concentrated picking, the characteristics of the Everbearing strawberry make Fragaria EVERSWEET an excellent choice.
Fast Facts
- Plant Family: Rosaceae
- Plant Type: Fruit
- Hardiness Zones: USDA Zones 5-8
- Size at Maturity:
- Height: 0.25-0.5 ft
- Spread: 0.5-1 ft
- Bloom Time: May to frost
- Bloom Description: White with yellow centers
- Sun Exposure: Full sun
- Water Needs: Medium
- Maintenance Level: High
How to Grow
Planting strawberries like Fragaria EVERSWEET is best done in early spring once the soil is workable, allowing the plants time to establish roots before their first flush of blooms. Select a location that receives full sun for the entire day, as insufficient light severely reduces fruit production. These plants thrive in organically rich, sandy loam soils that are well-drained but consistently moist. Remember that strawberries are considered a high-maintenance crop, and growing recommendations may need adjustment based on your specific climate.
Maintain consistent moisture using a medium watering schedule; drought stress will negatively impact the quality and quantity of your Everbearing strawberry harvest. While feeding is important, use caution not to over-fertilize with nitrogen late in the season, as this encourages excessive runner production at the expense of flowers. It is crucial to grow only certified disease-resistant cultivars, such as this one, to mitigate common fungal issues.
As a high-maintenance fruit, seasonal care for your Fragaria EVERSWEET is vital. In the fall, after the harvest has ended, remove dead foliage and apply a layer of clean straw mulch once the ground freezes to protect the crowns over winter. In spring, pull the straw back, inspect plants for any winter damage, and resume fertilization suitable for fruiting plants. Consult local agricultural extensions for region-specific guidance, such as the resources mentioned by the University of Missouri-Columbia regarding strawberry culture.
Landscape Uses
Although hybrid everbearing strawberry cultivars like Fragaria EVERSWEET typically lack specialized ornamental value, they are overwhelmingly grown as a productive fruit crop planted in dedicated patches. However, their low, spreading habit and continuous flowering/fruiting cycle from May to frost allow for creative integration into edible landscapes. They can effectively naturalize along the edges of vegetable gardens or used as a fruiting groundcover beneath taller shrubs that appreciate similar soil conditions.
For a functional border, line paths with these plants, ensuring easy access for picking the sweet fruit. Companion planting strawberries alongside dill or borage can help deter certain pests, though you must manage runner production carefully if integrating them into mixed perennial borders. The primary aesthetic contribution remains the glossy foliage and the succession of white flowers giving way to bright red fruit throughout the growing season.
Standout Features
Flower Qualities
- Showy
Fruit Qualities
- Showy
- Edible
Noteworthy Characteristics
Fragaria is a genus comprising stoloniferous herbaceous perennials, with strawberries being a mainstay of the home fruit garden categorized as Junebearing, everbearing, or day-neutral. The Everbearing type, exemplified by Fragaria EVERSWEET, produces harvests in spring and again in the fall. This specific cultivar yields fruit best when days are short, offering a first crop in spring followed by subsequent harvests every six weeks into autumn.
Tolerances
- Deer
Potential Problems
Strawberries are susceptible to numerous potential diseases throughout the season, including foliage issues like leaf spot and scorch, various root rots such as red stele, and fruit rots like anthracnose. Insects can also pose a threat, with pests including tarnished plant bugs, mites, slugs, and strawberry weevils occasionally causing damage. To minimize these risks for your Fragaria EVERSWEET, always plant certified disease-resistant cultivars, as this variety reportedly possesses good resistance traits. Proper cultural practices, such as ensuring excellent drainage and avoiding overhead watering late in the day, are critical preventative measures against fungal and rot issues.
Frequently Asked Questions
What hardiness zones is Everbearing strawberry suitable for?
The ideal growing environment for Fragaria EVERSWEET is within USDA Hardiness Zones 5 through 8.
How large does Fragaria EVERSWEET grow?
This low-growing perennial typically reaches a height between 0.25 to 0.5 feet, spreading outward from 0.5 to 1 foot.
What sun exposure does Everbearing strawberry need?
For optimal growth, this variety absolutely requires full sun exposure throughout the growing season.
When does Fragaria EVERSWEET bloom?
Flowers appear from May continuing until the first frost, featuring showy white petals with contrasting yellow centers.
Conclusion
Fragaria EVERSWEET provides an exceptional solution for gardeners desiring a prolonged harvest of sweet, edible berries from spring well into the fall months. This Everbearing strawberry demands a high level of maintenance but rewards diligent caretakers with continuous yields. Before planting, confirm that your site offers full sun and assess your commitment to the required upkeep necessary to enjoy the benefits of this productive variety.
Companion Planting
When planning the area for your strawberry patch, incorporating beneficial companions can naturally support the health of your Fragaria EVERSWEET. Plants that help deter common strawberry pests, such as borage or thyme, are excellent choices to place nearby. Borage is known to attract beneficial pollinators, which aids fruit set, while its presence may also confuse or repel certain insect threats.
Consider using low-growing herbs around the base of the strawberries, provided they do not aggressively compete for nutrients. Avoid planting brassicas or nightshades nearby, as they can share susceptibility to certain soil-borne diseases that might affect your Everbearing strawberry crop. A well-planned interplanting scheme enhances vigor and reduces reliance on chemical interventions.
Seasonal Care Calendar
Spring preparation is crucial: ensure the soil is rich and well-drained, and gently rake off winter covering once danger of hard frost passes. Summer is the peak production time; focus intensely on consistent, medium watering, especially as the second and subsequent harvests of your Fragaria EVERSWEET come in. Monitor runners; for maximum fruit production, especially in the first year, some experienced growers remove runners to direct the plant’s energy into berry production rather than vegetative spread.
Fall care involves preparing for dormancy. Reduce nitrogen fertilizer applications to encourage hardening off, and ensure plants are well-watered up until the first hard freeze. Once temperatures consistently drop, apply a 4 to 6-inch layer of clean straw mulch over the entire patch to insulate the crowns and protect the vital roots of the Everbearing strawberry through the winter months.
