Everbearing Strawberry
Quinault is an everbearing strawberry developed at Washington State University that defies the typical strawberry season. Unlike spring-only varieties, this cultivar produces abundant fruit from June straight through September, delivering large berries up to 2 inches wide with soft, delectable flesh. Hardy in zones 4 through 9, it thrives in full sun and reaches a modest 12 inches tall, making it equally at home in garden beds or containers. What truly sets Quinault apart is its exceptional disease resistance combined with cold tolerance, qualities that make it particularly valuable for maritime climates and northern gardens.
Full Sun
—
4-9
12in H x ?in W
Perennial
High
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Developed by Washington State University, Quinault combines legendary disease resistance with the rare trait of producing fruit on unrooted runners. When grown in containers, berries cascade down the sides while simultaneously setting from the crown, creating a waterfall of fruit throughout the summer and fall months. Its large, soft berries and unusual cold-hardiness make it equally suited to hanging baskets and open-ground planting in cooler regions.
Quinault strawberries are harvested and eaten fresh throughout the extended growing season, providing homegrown berries for table use from June through fall. The large, soft berries are particularly suited to immediate consumption when fully ripe, though they can also be preserved through freezing or jam-making to capture the season's abundance. In container settings, the cascading fruit habit makes Quinault as much a decorative edible plant as a practical producer.
Bareroot crowns arrive ready to plant directly into the garden or containers. Set plants in spring after the last frost in your zone, spacing them 12 inches apart. Ensure the crown sits just at soil level, not buried, as this prevents rot while allowing roots to establish quickly.
Begin harvesting in June and continue through September as berries ripen. Pick when berries reach full red color and feel soft to gentle pressure; size typically reaches up to 2 inches wide. Harvest every 2 to 3 days during peak production, as ripe berries left on the plant attract pests and can rot.
Allow runners to develop and spread, as Quinault produces berries on both the main crown and on unrooted runners. In container growing, position runners so they cascade over the edges, and pin them gently to encourage rooting and fruiting along their length. Remove any dead foliage and spent flower stems to maintain vigor and reduce disease pressure.
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“Quinault emerged from the breeding program at Washington State University, where horticulturists developed it specifically to address the dual challenges of disease pressure in maritime climates and the gardener's desire for extended harvests. Rather than limiting strawberries to a brief spring flush, the researchers created an everbearing variety that would produce continuously from early summer into fall, while simultaneously breeding in robust disease resistance. The variety's development reflects a philosophy of practical plant improvement: solving real problems for real gardeners rather than chasing ornamental traits.”