Overview
Fragaria 'Gerald Straley' is a plant with a matforming, trailing habit in the genus Fragaria, part of the Rosaceae family, with semi evergreen foliage. Fragaria 'Gerald Straley' grows best in full sun, and tolerates loam soils and acid and neutral pH. Its UK hardiness is rated H6. Suggested uses include edible fruit, ground cover, patio and container plants and wildlife gardens.
About
Fragaria 'Gerald Straley' is a cultivated strawberry with a mat-forming, trailing habit that yields edible fruit. It keeps semi-evergreen foliage through much of the year. Flowers appear from May to July. Best placed in a sunny, south-facing, sheltered spot in loam that is moist but well drained.
About the genus
Fragaria is a genus of flowering plants in the rose family, Rosaceae, commonly known as strawberries for their edible fruits. There are more than 20 described species and many hybrids and cultivars. The most common strawberries grown commercially are cultivars of the garden strawberry, a hybrid known as Fragaria × ananassa.
Wikipedia contributors, "Fragaria", CC BY-SA 4.0 — Fragaria
In the garden
Fragaria 'Gerald Straley' is a garden strawberry cultivar in the rose family (Rosaceae), grown for its edible fruit and ground-covering habit. The plant forms a low mat and trails, making it suitable where fruit at ground level is wanted or where the foliage can spill over the edge of a container. Flowering takes place from May to July, the period when pollination sets fruit. Site selection should favour full sun on a south-facing, sheltered aspect to maximise flowering and fruit set. Use a loamy soil with an acid to neutral pH and avoid waterlogging; the soil should remain moist but well drained. In the UK it is rated H6, very hardy, so it tolerates cold winters in most outdoor sites without special winter protection. Planting in containers is practical for patios where the trailing habit can be shown off, and groups of plants work well as an edible ground cover beneath taller, frost-tolerant borders. Keep soil moisture even and choose a sheltered position to reduce wind damage to flowers and fruit. Its combination of mat-forming growth and edible yield suits small productive plots, patio planters or wildlife-friendly ground layers where low fruiting plants are required.
Growing conditions
Best soil and position for Fragaria
- Sunlight
- Full sun
- Soil type
- Loam
- Soil pH
- Acid, Neutral
- Soil moisture
- Moist but well-drained
- Aspect
- South-facing
- Exposure
- Sheltered
- UK hardiness
- H6
Plant details
Fragaria 'Gerald Straley' size, habit and characteristics
- Habit
- Matforming, Trailing
- Foliage
- Semi evergreen
- Suggested uses
- Edible fruit, Ground cover, Patio and container plants, Wildlife gardens
Care notes
Pruning and caring for Fragaria 'Gerald Straley'
- Propagation
- Remove and transplant runners
- Pest resistance
- Aphids, Slugs and snails, Glasshouse red spider mite, Vine weevil
- Disease resistance
- Strawberry viruses, Root rot, Grey moulds
Frequently asked questions
Where is the best place to plant Fragaria 'Gerald Straley'?
Fragaria 'Gerald Straley' prefers full sun. It suits sheltered positions.
What soil does Fragaria 'Gerald Straley' need?
Fragaria 'Gerald Straley' grows best in loam soil. It prefers acid and neutral soil. Aim for soil that stays moist but well-drained.
Is Fragaria 'Gerald Straley' hardy in the UK?
Fragaria 'Gerald Straley' has an RHS hardiness rating of H6, meaning it is very hardy, tolerating -20 to -15°C across most of the UK.
How do I propagate Fragaria 'Gerald Straley'?
Remove and transplant runners.
