Heirloom

Alexandria

Fragaria vesca

a small green plant in the middle of the grass

Day-neutral. A gourmet treat and easy landscape plant. These decorative little plants produce delicious, aromatic red strawberries, about twice the size of wild berries but much smaller than the standard type. Perennials, Alpine strawberries stay compact and produce few runners, making them suitable for rock gardens, path edgings, pots, and window boxes. Initial harvest begins the first year, with full harvest beginning the second year. Grows best in Zones 5-8.Edible Flowers: Flowers add a mild, strawberry-like flavor if sprinkled on salads or when used as a garnish for drinks and desserts.

Harvest

100-120d

Days to harvest

📅

Sun

Full sun

☀️

Zones

5–9

USDA hardiness

🗺️

Height

0 ft. 4 in. - 0 ft. 9 in.

📏

Planting Timeline

Zone:

Jan

Feb

Mar

Apr

May

Jun

Jul

Aug

Sep

Oct

Nov

Dec

Transplant

Harvest

Transplant

Harvest

Showing dates for Alexandria in USDA Zone 7

All Zone 7 berry →

Zone Map

Click a state to update dates

Alexandria · Zones 5–9

What grows well in Zone 7? →

Growing Details

Difficulty

Moderate

Spacing12-18 inches

SoilWell-drained, slightly acidic (pH 6.0-6.5), rich in organic matter

WaterRegular, consistent moisture—approximately 1-1.5 inches per week

SeasonPerennial

FlavorIntensely aromatic and sweet with complex floral, delicate strawberry flavor and concentrated taste—significantly more aromatic than standard strawberry varieties

ColorBright red

Zone-by-Zone Planting Calendar

Zone	Indoor Start	Transplant	Direct Sow	Harvest
Zone 3	—	June – August	—	September – September
Zone 4	—	June – July	—	August – September
Zone 5	—	May – July	—	August – October
Zone 6	—	May – July	—	August – October
Zone 7	—	May – June	—	July – October
Zone 8	—	April – June	—	July – November
Zone 9	—	March – May	—	June – December
Zone 10	—	March – April	—	May – December

Complete Growing Guide

Light: frah-GAR-ee-ah vir-jin-ee-AN-uh. Soil: Clay, High Organic Matter, Loam (Silt). Drainage: Good Drainage, Moist, Occasionally Dry. Height: 0 ft. 4 in. - 0 ft. 9 in.. Spread: 1 ft. 0 in. - 2 ft. 0 in.. Growth rate: Medium. Maintenance: Medium. Propagation: Division. Regions: Coastal, Mountains, Piedmont.

Harvesting

Flowers give way to achene-dotted ovoid fruits (strawberries) which mature to red fruit, 1/2 inch across. Seeds are embedded in the pits of the strawberries.

Color: Red/Burgundy. Type: Berry. Length: < 1 inch. Width: < 1 inch.

Garden value: Edible

Harvest time: Summer

Bloom time: Spring

Edibility: Wild strawberries have a sweet tart flavor.

Storage & Preservation

Alexandria berries store best at 32–36°F with 90–95% humidity in shallow containers lined with paper towels to prevent bruising. Fresh berries typically last 5–7 days under these conditions, though they're best consumed within 2–3 days of harvest for peak flavor and texture.

For preservation, freezing works exceptionally well—spread berries on a tray, flash-freeze for 2–3 hours, then transfer to freezer bags for up to a year. Alternatively, make jam using the high pectin content of these smaller berries, or dry them whole in a low oven (170°F, 4–6 hours) for snacking or tea. Alexandria's intensely aromatic seeds retain their flavor remarkably well when frozen whole, making them ideal for winter compotes and sauces.

History & Origin

Alexandria is open-pollinated, meaning seed saved from healthy plants will produce true-to-type offspring. Listed in the Johnny's Selected Seeds catalog.

Origin: East Canada to Northern and Eastern United States and Mexico

Advantages

+Disease resistance: Drought, Erosion
+Attracts: Pollinators, Predatory Insects, Songbirds, Specialized Bees
+Wildlife value: Members of the genus Fragaria support the following specialized bee: Andrena (Micrandrena) melanochroa.
+Edible: Wild strawberries have a sweet tart flavor.

Companion Plants

Thyme and chives are the most practical companions here — both stay low enough not to shade the crowns, and their volatile oils genuinely disorient aphids and spider mites on approach. Borage at the bed edges pulls in predatory insects and its flowers are edible, which goes over well in a CSA box. French marigolds (Tagetes patula specifically) suppress root-knot nematodes in the soil beneath the planting. Black walnut is the one to plant nowhere near Alexandria — juglone, the allelopathic compound walnuts release through their roots and leaf litter, will stunt or outright kill strawberry crowns, and around here in zone 7 Georgia that damage tends to show up slowly enough that people don't connect the cause until the second season.

Plant Together

Thyme

Repels aphids and spider mites, attracts beneficial insects

Borage

Attracts pollinators and beneficial predatory insects, may improve berry flavor

Chives

Deters aphids and other soft-bodied insects with strong scent

Marigolds

Repel nematodes and aphids, attract beneficial insects

Garlic

Natural fungicide properties, deters various pests including aphids

Nasturtiums

Acts as trap crop for aphids and cucumber beetles, attracts beneficial insects

Clover

Fixes nitrogen in soil, provides ground cover to retain moisture

Rye Grass

Living mulch that suppresses weeds and retains soil moisture

Keep Apart

Black Walnut

Produces juglone which is toxic to many berry plants and inhibits growth

Pine Trees

Create acidic soil conditions and dense shade that most berries cannot tolerate

Brassicas

Heavy feeders that compete for nutrients and may inhibit berry root development

Nutrition Facts

Calories

32kcal(2%)

Protein

0.67g(1%)

Fiber

2g(7%)

Carbs

7.68g(3%)

Fat

0.3g(0%)

Vitamin C

58.8mg(65%)

Vitamin A

1mcg(0%)

Vitamin K

2.2mcg(2%)

Iron

0.41mg(2%)

Calcium

16mg(1%)

Potassium

153mg(3%)

Per 100g serving. % Daily Value based on 2,000 calorie diet. Source: USDA FoodData Central (FDC #167762)

Pests & Disease Resistance

Common Pests

Minimal pest pressure; occasional spider mites, slugs, and birds in areas with high populations

Diseases

Generally disease-resistant; fungal issues (powdery mildew, leaf spot) possible in humid conditions with poor air circulation

Troubleshooting Alexandria

What you'll see, why it happens, and what to do about it.

White powdery coating on leaves, usually showing up mid-summer when nights stay warm and humid

Likely Causes

Powdery mildew (Podosphaera aphanis) — the strawberry-specific strain; thrives when humidity is high but leaves stay dry, which is most of a Georgia August
Poor air circulation from tight planting or weed pressure closing in around crowns

What to Do

1.Thin any crowded runners so plants sit at least 12 inches apart — air movement does more than any spray
2.Apply a dilute potassium bicarbonate solution (1 tablespoon per gallon of water) to affected foliage in the early morning so leaves dry before nightfall
3.If it keeps coming back season after season, cut the entire planting back to 2 inches after harvest and let the bed reset

Small, irregular holes in ripe or nearly-ripe fruit, sometimes with a slime trail nearby

Likely Causes

Slugs (Deroceras reticulatum is the most common culprit in the Southeast) — they feed at night and hide under mulch or low foliage during the day
Excess moisture from overhead irrigation or a rainy stretch keeping the bed surface wet overnight

What to Do

1.Switch to drip irrigation or water in the morning so the soil surface dries out by evening
2.Set out iron phosphate bait (Sluggo or equivalent) around the perimeter of the bed — it's safe around pets and breaks down into fertilizer
3.Pull back any thick straw mulch directly under the crowns; slugs use it as daytime cover

Small reddish-purple spots on leaves that enlarge and develop tan or gray centers, scattered across the planting

Likely Causes

Leaf spot (Mycosphaerella fragariae) — a fungal disease that overwinters in old leaf debris and spreads via rain splash
Older planting stock that hasn't been renovated in 3 or more years, allowing disease load to build

What to Do

1.Remove and trash (don't compost) any heavily spotted leaves as soon as you see them
2.After the final harvest of the season, mow or cut the entire bed back to about 3 inches and rake out the debris — this breaks the overwintering cycle
3.If the planting is more than 4 years old and disease pressure keeps returning, start a fresh bed in a different spot with new crowns rather than fighting a losing battle in place

Frequently Asked Questions

Can you grow Alexandria strawberries in pots and containers?▼

Absolutely—Alexandria thrives in containers. Use a 12-inch pot with drainage holes and quality potting soil mixed with compost. They're ideal for window boxes, hanging baskets, and patio planters. Container growing gives you precise water and soil control, which Alexandria prefers. Place pots in full sun and water when the top inch of soil feels dry. In colder zones (5-6), move containers to a protected location or wrap with burlap for winter insulation.

How long does it take to grow Alexandria strawberries from seed?▼

Seeds germinate in 10-14 days at 65-70°F with light. You'll have transplant-ready seedlings in 6-8 weeks indoors. First berry production typically begins 60-90 days after transplanting outdoors, meaning you can have ripe berries in the first year. However, full production arrives in year two when crowns are more established, yielding substantially more throughout the season.

What's the difference between Alexandria and other Alpine strawberry varieties?▼

Alexandria is a day-neutral Alpine, meaning it produces fruit continuously throughout the season rather than primarily in spring. Many other Alpine varieties are short-day or season-specific bloomers. Alexandria also tends to have exceptional aromatic quality and reliable production from seed. Some Alpines (like Rügen) produce more runners; Alexandria stays more compact. Flavor and berry size are comparable across quality Alpine varieties, so Alexandria's advantage lies in extended productivity and ornamental compact growth.

What do Alexandria strawberries taste like?▼

Alexandria berries are intensely aromatic and sweet with complex, delicate strawberry flavor—nothing like the bland supermarket berries most people know. The taste has floral, almost perfumed notes. They're smaller and less watery than standard varieties, making each bite more concentrated. The aromatic quality is so pronounced that a handful of Alexandria berries can scent an entire room, which is why they're prized by chefs for garnishes and fine dining applications.

Is Alexandria a good strawberry variety for beginners?▼

Yes, with one caveat: Alexandria is moderate difficulty but beginner-friendly if you start with transplants rather than seed. The main requirement is consistent moisture and full sun. As long as you water regularly (aiming for even soil moisture), place plants in 6+ hours of daily sun, and harvest frequently, Alexandria rewards you reliably. The perennial nature means less replanting hassle than some crops, and pest/disease pressure is lower than standard strawberries, making it a forgiving choice.

When should I plant Alexandria strawberries?▼

Sow seeds indoors 8-10 weeks before your last spring frost. Transplant seedlings outdoors after all frost danger passes. If starting with transplants or crowns, plant in spring after frost or in early fall in zones 5-7. Fall planting allows crowns to establish before winter dormancy and can boost first-year production. In warmer zones (7-8), you can also plant in late winter. Ensure plants have 4-6 weeks to establish strong roots before summer heat or winter dormancy.