Use & Care NotesCompanion Plants
Ruby Ann Strawberry: Ruby Flowers and Sweet Berries in a Basket
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Ruby Ann strawberry does something most strawberries do not: it blooms in deep ruby red instead of white. The inch-wide flowers with golden centers appear alongside ripening fruit from early summer into fall, so the plant is decorative and edible at the same time. The berries are sweet, glossy and medium-sized.
Vigorous runners trail over the edges of pots and baskets, which is where this variety really shines.
Ruby Ann at a glance
| Trait | What to expect |
|---|---|
| Botanical name | Fragaria x ananassa 'Ruby Ann' |
| Type | Everbearing |
| Flowers | Deep ruby red with golden centers, about 1 inch |
| Fruit | Sweet, medium-sized, glossy red berries |
| Size | 8 to 12 inches tall, trailing 2 to 3 feet by runners |
| Bloom | Early June to fall, peaking early July |
| Hardiness | USDA zones 4 to 8 |
| Light | Full sun |
Where it fits with lavender
Strawberries love sun as much as lavender does, but they want richer soil and regular water, which lavender will not tolerate. So keep them apart at the root level and together in the view. A hanging basket of Ruby Ann on a sunny porch post above a lavender bed, or a pot of it on a patio beside potted lavender, gives you red flowers, purple spikes and fresh berries in one sunny spot.
In the ground, a raised bed or kitchen garden near the lavender works best. Plan a sunny edible corner in the Companion Plant Planner.
Growing it in baskets and pots
- Mix: fertile, well-drained potting mix in a container with drainage holes.
- Planting: set each crown level with the soil surface, never buried.
- Water: baskets dry fast. Check daily in summer and water at the base.
- Feeding: containers benefit from regular light feeding through the season.
- Runners: let them dangle for looks, or pin a few into new pots to start more plants.
In beds
Plant in full sun in fertile, well-drained soil and mulch with straw to keep berries clean and limit gray mold. Space plants and water at the base in humid weather. Rotate strawberry beds every few years to avoid root diseases. After the ground begins to freeze in late fall, cover bed plants with 2 to 4 inches of straw and pull it back in spring once growth starts.
Harvest
Pick berries when fully red, ideally in the cool of the morning. They are excellent fresh, in desserts and jams, and they freeze well. Strawberries and culinary lavender are a classic summer pairing in shortcakes and lemonade.
Frequently asked questions
Does the red flower mean less fruit?
No. Ruby Ann is everbearing and sets sweet berries while it keeps blooming.
How is it offered?
As a full 72-cell plug tray, handy for filling several baskets or a whole bed. See the product page for current availability.
Do deer eat strawberries?
Yes. Hanging baskets are one easy way to keep them out of reach.
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