Ozark Beauty Strawberry Plants: Introduction
This page is a profile summary of the strawberry cultivar ‘Ozark Beauty’ (Fragaria x ananassa). At the end of the page is a directory of suppliers from which you can buy Ozark Beauty strawberry plants. Hopefully, you will find the details here that you need in order to make an informed decision regarding whether or not Ozark Beauty strawberry plants are right for you and your growing conditions and needs.
Where to Grow Ozark Beauty Strawberries
Ozark Beauty strawberry plants were developed in Arkansas and have proven to be one of the most popular and adaptable of the everbearing strawberry varieties. They generally grow extremely well in zones 4 through 8, and can even perform in zones 3 and 9. They are particularly well-suited for more northern climates and the higher elevations in the south. With appropriate care, Ozark Beauty strawberries can survive winter temperatures to -30 degrees.
Ozark Beauty strawberry plants have become one of the best-selling of all commercially sold everbearing strawberries in large part to its overall robustness and adaptability. For more specifics on the cultivation of Ozark Beauty strawberry plants, see the Growing Strawberries page.
Growing Ozark Beauty Strawberry Plants: Conditions
Like all strawberries, Ozark Beauty strawberry plants prefer full sun, about an inch of water per week, and slightly acidic soil. While a pH of 5.3 to 6.5 is ideal for this variety, they will still do well in soil with a pH anywhere from 5.0 to 7.0. At their full, mature height, they will be between 8 inches and 1 foot tall and spread to about a foot.
Since Ozark Beauty strawberry plants are everbearers, planting them can yield two crops of strawberries: one in the late spring/early summer and another in the fall. Most of the suppliers who offer strawberry plants for sale online will ship in the early spring for spring planting. For June-bearing strawberries, this generally means that flowers should be removed and fruit should be foregone in year one to maximize plant health and future yields. However, for everbearing strawberry plants like Ozark Beauty, the removal of the initial flush of flowers doesn’t preclude all harvests for the year. With appropriate care, they will produce a late harvest meaning the fruits of one’s labor can be enjoyed the same year as the Ozark Beauty strawberry plants were planted.
Since this variety of strawberry plants produces a fair amount of runners, they can be planted in either the hill system or matted row. (See the Growing Strawberries reference page for more details). However, during the first growing year, it is best to remove all but 2-3 runners from each Ozark Beauty strawberry plant to maximize the size and quality of the strawberries and to help the strawberry plants root more effectively.
Disease Resistance of Ozark Beauty Strawberry Plants
Ozark Beauty strawberries are not known to have strong resistance to any of the common strawberry plant pests such as root nematodes or spider mites. They are, however, resistant to both leaf spot and leaf scorch.
Disease Susceptibility of Ozark Beauty Strawberry Plants
Ozark Beauty strawberry plants are susceptible to infection with several common strawberry diseases. They are susceptible to red stele and Verticillium wilt. Additionally, Ozark Beauty strawberries also will succumb to anthracnose.
Ozark Beauty Strawberries
Ozark Beauty strawberry plants are vigorous, everbearing, and may be the overall best of all everbearing strawberry varieties (for more details, see the Strawberry Varieties page). While other cultivars may have superior quality ratings in a category or two, few (if any) are a match for Ozark Beauty’s overall profile. Ozark Beauty strawberry plants produce large, well-colored, tasty strawberries – and lots of them!
The strawberry plants usually produce berries that are uniform in shape. Additionally, Ozark Beauty strawberries are only moderately firm making them less well-suited for shipping. Otherwise, the strawberries are a deep red color externally and red throughout when mature, very sweet (honeysweet but not sickly sweet) with excellent strawberry flavor, and an excellent choice for virtually every home use: fresh eating, canning, making strawberry jam or strawberry jelly, freezing, or use in other Strawberry Recipes.
Notable Features of Ozark Beauty Strawberry Plant & Strawberries
1. Very Hardy and Adaptable
2. Excellent (and Popular) Choice for Home Gardeners
3. Considered by Many to Be the Best Ever-bearing Variety
4. Good Choice for Canning, Freezing, Preserves, and Jams/Jellies
Additional Information about the Strawberry Ozark Beauty
The strawberry plant Ozark Beauty will produce runners, blooms, and fruit simultaneously at times. In fact, one large strawberry plant provider noted in a trial over 200 blossoms, buds, and strawberries on a single plant over the course of a season. That is production!
Due to their popularity, Ozark Beauty strawberry plants are sold by quite a few strawberry plant suppliers. Be sure to check the various suppliers to get the best deal, and always make sure they are a reputable nursery and guarantee disease-free plants. (Many additional varieties and suppliers can be found in our directory of Strawberry Plants for Sale.)
Purchase Plants from These Ozark Beauty Strawberry Suppliers
If you are wondering where to buy Ozark Beauty strawberry plants, the following table contains reputable suppliers of Ozark Beauty strawberry plants.
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Last night, I bought a 15 plant container of Ozark Beauty strawberries from a local store. They were on clearance, since it is so late in the season. On a whim, I decided to give them a shot. There is a wealth of information on your website, and I have been reading to give myself a quick education on strawberry growing. I realize I am at a disadvantage because of their age, but it is a risk I’m willing to take given the minimal up-front cost.
I live in zone 7, in an area where hard clay soil is prevalent. Therefore, all of the gardens we’ve added have been raised beds or container gardens. I plan to grow the strawberries in containers, so I can move them through the seasons to maximize sun exposure. (Full sun is a challenge in our yard.)
Do I split the 15 plants or put them all as a clump? I haven’t seen that exact topic covered in the transplanting section. I was going to put them in a topsy-turvy type holder; but after reading here decided not to pursue that.
Are there any special instructions for transplanting so late in the season to help them thrive? I will not plan to harvest any strawberries this year, even though this is an everbearing plant. I hope for thriving plants next year.
Thank you!
Elizabeth,
Don’t plant all 15 plants as a clump. Split them up so that each root system doesn’t draw too heavily from the nutrient base needed by other nearby strawberry plants. As far as transplanting goes, be sure to water appropriately to ensure that the plants are well-established in their new homes. Planting them this year should allow the flower buds to form well this fall, and you should get a great harvest next year. Good luck!
Will do! Thank you so much for your reply.
Hi, I planted some Ozark Beauties earlier this summer and they’re growing really well. I’m growing them in a window box, because I live in an apartment and they’ve already sprouted two runners. Is it okay that the runners hang off the sides, or do they need to be in soil?
If they need to be in soil, what is the most apartment-friendly way to transplant them to ensure that they get everything they need? I don’t have a lot of space, but I do have hanging space if necessary.
Thanks!!
should i moe my ozarks after they are done producing?
Melissa,
It is ok if the runner plants hang for a while, but they should have their own dirt eventually. If you have another window box, you could plant them in it or use a hanging basket. Just be sure to water them enough as the potted plants can sometimes dry out more quickly and more frequently than plants in the ground. An easy way to get the runners started is to get a small container, fill it with dirt, and then use some tape or twist-ties to position the adventitious root at the bottom of the node so that it contacts the dirt. It will grow down into it fairly quickly. Once the roots are in, you can cut the runners and take the little strawberry plant wherever you like!
donald,
For help with that question, see the page on Mowing Strawberries.
I live in north east Missouri and have 3 Ozark Beauty plants that have been sending out lovely runners for a while now, but I don’t see anything that looks like it might become a flower. I planted them too late to get the Spring crop, but am wondering if they will produce for the late summer/early fall. If they ARE going to produce for this session, when will I begin to see flowers? Should I go ahead and start pruning some of the runners now or wait a bit? Thanks so much!!
I am very interested in growing Ozark Beauty strawberries but I live in Long Beach, CA which is zone 10. I am about 6 miles from the coast. I see them for sale at Lowes hardware store but wondered if they would thrive? Thank you.
Elphie,
If you don’t even have flowers, you likely aren’t going to get any crop this year. So, if some strawberry flowers do emerge from the crown, it would be best to go ahead and snip or pinch them so that the productive energy of the plant isn’t wasted. You can also prune the runners also if you are concerned about overgrowth or to encourage the mother plants to better establish themselves for a bountiful crop next spring.
Matthew,
They probably won’t thrive in Zone 10. But, with a lot of tender loving care, you could probably coax some strawberries out of them. Some of the Zone 9 Strawberries would likely be better suited for growing there in Long Beach.