Alpine Strawberry

Fragaria vesca

Alpine strawberries produce small, intensely fragrant berries with a flavour that puts supermarket strawberries to shame. Unlike regular strawberries, they don't send out runners — instead forming neat clumps that make excellent edging plants for beds and paths. They fruit continuously from June until the first frosts, producing small handfuls of berries every few days rather than one big glut. They tolerate more shade than regular strawberries and are less troubled by slugs than larger strawberries, though slugs do still eat them. Grow them from seed started indoors in March, or divide established clumps in spring. 'Alexandria' and 'Baron Solemacher' are reliable varieties. They self-seed freely once established, popping up in cracks and borders — a pleasant rather than problematic habit.

Part of our strawberry growing guide.

Plan where to grow Alpine Strawberry using our vegetable garden planner.