Albion strawberries are a recently developed variety from California. Plants produce large, conical berries throughout the season. They are everbearing and will hold up especially well in long, hot summers while enduring and producing until late in the fall. Albion is a popular variety for home gardeners due to the bounty of red flavorful berries and its ease of care and growth.
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Introduction
| Hardiness Zone | Zones 4-7 |
| Exposure | Full Sun |
| Harvest | May – October, 12-14 weeks after planting bare root plants |
| Soil | Ideal pH 6.5 – 6.8, keep moist and well drained |
| Water | Water well |
| Maintenance | Space far apart, fertilize well |
| Plant Type | Day Neutral |
| Berry Flavor | Sweet when fully ripened |
| Berry Size | Large |
History
Albion strawberries were first introduced in 2006. It is a hybrid variety bred in California with the lineage Diamante and Cal 94.16-1.
Where to Grow
Although they are hardy and can be grown as perennials up to zone 4, Albion will also thrive in much hotter climates. This variety will live life as an evergreen in humid frost free areas.
Growing Conditions
Provide Albion strawberries with full sun and rich well-drained soil and you will be rewarded with high yields of tasty fruit. They are extremely heat tolerant and will continue to produce large juicy berries as long as they are well watered. Harvest ripe berries consistently to make space and energy for the other flowers and fruit on the plant. Keep beds well weeded, fed (add compost or fertilizer) and apply mulch to suppress weeds and retain moisture.
Disease Resistance
Albion are bred to be resistant to verticillium wilt, phytophthora crown rot and anthracnose.
Disease Susceptibility
No specific disease is known to affect Albion plants or berries.
Notable Features
Albion are fast growers. They are everbearing and will produce throughout the season, even during times of excessive heat. Berries are firm, symmetrical and conical in shape.
Growing tips
Give plants more spacing than other varieties. Make sure they’re well watered and receive extra treatment when it comes time to fertilize. The additional care will result in an abundance of large sweet berries. Beds of everbearing varieties will last one to two years, do not attempt to renovate.
Where to Buy
Plants:
- Amazon – 25 Bare Root Plants
- Burpee – 25 Bare Root Plants
- Etsy- 25 Bare Root Plants
- Johhny’s Seeds – 25 Bare Root Plants
- Gurneys – Albion Everbearing Strawberry Plant
Seeds:
Best Uses
These berries are delicious eaten fresh. But because of their size and good flavor, they are also great for canning preserves and jams, baking and freezing
Barbara
Hello!
Will Albion do well in South-Central Wisconsin? I plan to grow them in a box in full sun. Will I need to replace them every year?
Thanks!
Mary Ward
Hi Barbara.
Albion grows well in zones 4 through 7. I assume you are n a zone 5, so yes, they should do well for you. Since they are going to be grown in a box, you might need to give them a little more winter protection to protect the roots from winter kill (because they’ll be colder in the box than in the ground. If you can bring the box into a cool/unheated garage or basement, that will help. There’s a decent chance that they will survive even in the boxes outside. In that case, you should not have to replace them every year, but if they seem to start producing less, in a few years, you might want to refresh them.