June bearers, everbearers and day neutral bearers are the three types of strawberries. Additionally there are a number of varieties and cultivars in each bearing category.
June Bearers
Although these strawberry plants flower in early spring, they are spurred into doing this by buds which were formed in the fall, when days were shorter (less than 10 hours of daylight).
In order to form the buds however, these plants must have a full set of leaves during September and November. June bearers generally produce more strawberries, but often the berries are lost because of late frosts. June bearers are adapted to warmer areas.
Some June bearing cultivars include:
- Sequoia – large red berries produced over a long bearing period. Good producer in warmer weather.
- Guardian – Fruit is light red and generally more conical than other strawberry varieties. Great for desserts and preserves. Resistant to Verticillium wilt.
- Robinson – Blunt berries. Good producer. Resistant to Verticillium wilt.
- Tioga – Large strawberries, shaped like wedges. Good producer in warmer areas.
- Chambly – A great June bearer for southern and eastern Canada.
- Surecrop – Medium to large wedge shaped.
- Tufts – Large and long fruit.
- Earligrow
- Midway
- Lester
- Redchief
- Kent
- Delite
- Lateglow
Everbearers
Long days (over 12 hours of daylight) stimulate everbearers to bud and then bloom. Usually, they will produce two crops: one in fall and another in spring. Spring crops are usually less than June bearers. However, if an everbearer loses its fruit because of a late spring frost, it will produce again in the fall. They do not do well in heat, so grow in colder or more moderate areas.
Some everbearing cultivars include:
- Ogalalla – These produce large plump strawberries. They make great preserves and jellies. These are also very resistant to drought and they have proven to be disease resistant. Excellent plant for xeric gardens.
- Ozark Beauty - Wedge shaped and long-necked. These are delicious, but are susceptible to Verticillium wilt.
- Fort Laramie – Very bright red, and they smell good too. Good preserves and desserts.
Day Neutrals
These can bud and flower under any daylight conditions. If you want berries all spring, summer and fall, then these are the plants to put in. However, they do much better in colder conditions. In fact, if temperatures go above 85F they will probably not flower or bud. They do well in temperatures between 35F and 70F.
Fruit and runners are produced at the same time among day neutrals. Since they often fruit even before they begin growing their root systems, they are good candidates for container gardening.
Some day neutral cultivars include:
- Selva
- Fern
- Tribute
- Tristar
- Brighton
- Hecker
- Aptos
Each variety and cultivar has its own unique attributes. Check with your local agricultural or land grant college, extension service, master gardener association or local nurseries for more area specific information about strawberries.
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