Product Field NotesCompanion Plants
Allstar Strawberry: A Dependable June-Bearer Near the Lavender
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Allstar strawberry is a vigorous June-bearer that ripens a little later in the season and rewards you with heavy yields of large, firm, glossy red berries. They have good flavor and color for eating fresh, slicing over shortcake or baking into desserts. It also resists leaf scorch, powdery mildew and several races of red stele root rot, which makes it a forgiving choice for home gardens.
Allstar at a glance
| Trait | What to expect |
|---|---|
| Botanical name | Fragaria x ananassa 'Allstar' |
| Type | June-bearing, late midseason |
| Fruit | Large, firm, glossy red, broadly conical |
| Flowers | White with yellow centers, late May to early June |
| Size | 6 to 8 inches tall, spreading by runners to about 3 feet |
| Hardiness | USDA zones 4 to 8 |
| Light | Full sun |
| Deer | Susceptible |
Strawberries and lavender in one garden
Both love full sun. That is about where their agreement ends. Strawberries want fertile soil that stays evenly moist while berries swell, and lavender wants lean ground that dries quickly. Rather than mixing them, give Allstar a raised bed or kitchen garden row near the lavender. You get the same sunny spot, the soil each plant prefers, and a short walk between the two at harvest time.
And there is a good reason to keep them close. Strawberries and culinary lavender are a classic pairing in the kitchen. A pinch of lavender sugar over sliced berries, or lavender in a shortcake biscuit, is the kind of thing that makes guests ask what you did differently. Browse our lavender recipes for ideas.
Planting bare root strawberries
- Soak first: soak the roots briefly before planting so they do not go in dry.
- Depth matters: set the crown level with the soil surface. Too deep and it rots; too shallow and it dries out.
- Spacing: leave room for runners, since plants spread into a matted row about 3 feet wide.
- First season: many growers pinch the first spring's flowers so the plants put energy into roots and runners for a bigger crop the next year.
Care through the year
- Water: regularly, especially while fruit is forming. Water at the base to limit gray mold.
- Mulch: straw keeps berries clean and off the soil.
- Winter: after the ground begins to freeze in late fall, cover with 2 to 4 inches of straw, then pull it back in spring once growth starts.
- Renewal: every few years, start a fresh bed from young runner plants.
Deer and birds both appreciate a strawberry patch, so netting or fencing may be part of the plan.
Frequently asked questions
When will Allstar ripen?
It is a late-midseason June-bearer, with one main heavy harvest in June after flowering in late spring.
Can I grow it in containers?
Yes. Containers need steady watering and a well-drained mix, and the runners can spill over the edges.
Is it good for freezing and jam?
Its large, firm berries are great for fresh eating and desserts, and firm berries hold their shape well when sliced and frozen.
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