White Alpine Strawberry is a delicate botanical variety of Fragaria vesca that produces charming creamy-white berries instead of the familiar red. Native to mountainous regions and hardy from zones 5 to 10, this everbearing strawberry flowers from June through September, delivering two light crops of small, intensely sweet berries, one in late spring and another in late summer. Unlike typical alpine varieties, it spreads via runners, making it exceptionally versatile as a groundcover or container specimen in partial shade to dappled sunlight. Growing just 12 inches tall, it thrives in moderate moisture and slightly acidic soil (pH 5.5-6.8), though it performs best in cooler climates and struggles in areas with hot, humid summers.
Partial Shade
Moderate
5-10
12in H x ?in W
—
High
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The berries themselves are the star: pale, creamy-white fruits with an unusually sweet, concentrated flavor that surprises anyone expecting ordinary strawberry tartness. Unlike most alpine varieties, this one runners freely and transforms into an elegant groundcover or spills beautifully from containers without needing aggressive management. Two distinct harvests per season, combined with the extended bloom window from early summer into fall, means you'll have fresh berries over an uncommonly long period. Its preference for cooler, maritime-type climates makes it particularly valuable for gardeners in northern regions or coastal areas where heat-sensitive strawberries struggle.
White Alpine Strawberries are grown primarily for fresh eating, where their small size and intense sweetness make them prized for desserts, garnishes, and out-of-hand snacking. Their everbearing nature and manageable size suit them well to container gardening, allowing gardeners in smaller spaces or cooler climates to grow them on patios and balconies throughout the growing season. The ability to spread via runners and function as a living groundcover opens ornamental possibilities, creating attractive edging or filling gaps between other plants while producing edible fruit.
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Start seeds indoors 8 to 10 weeks before your last spring frost. Sow on moist seed-starting mix at a temperature between 60 and 75°F. Keep the surface moist but not soggy; seeds benefit from light during germination, so provide bright, indirect light or use grow lights. Transplant seedlings outdoors after the last frost date once they have developed true leaves.
Transplant 4-inch potted plants or hardened-off seedlings into the garden after your last spring frost date. Space plants 12 inches apart in soil amended with compost or aged organic matter. Water thoroughly at planting and maintain moderate moisture as plants establish. In cooler climates, planting in early spring allows maximum time for the plant to develop runners and produce the late summer crop.
Harvest berries when they reach full cream-white color and yield slightly to gentle pressure; ripe White Alpine berries are notably smaller than standard strawberries, typically the size of a large pea or small marble. Pick in the early morning when temperatures are cool and berries are firmest. Expect the first light crop in late spring (June-July) and the second in late summer (August-September). Leave the berry on the plant for 24 hours after it appears fully colored to maximize sweetness and flavor development.
Since this variety spreads via runners and serves well as a groundcover, management depends on your intended use. For contained growth in small spaces or containers, pinch off runners as they appear to direct energy into flowering and fruiting. For groundcover plantings, allow runners to spread and root freely into adjacent soil, creating a dense mat; trim only to control spread beyond desired boundaries. Remove dead or yellowing leaves in early spring to encourage fresh growth before the bloom season begins.
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