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!
Of note, however, is that Ozark Beauty runner plants will typically not set fruit in their first year (or they will do so sparsely). So, be patient with the runners, and the second year should yield an even more abundant harvest.
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
- Very Hardy and Adaptable
- Excellent (and Popular) Choice for Home Gardeners
- Considered by Many to Be the Best Ever-bearing Variety
- 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, or you can shop by variety on the Buy Strawberry Plants page.)
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.
Dear Sir, My name is Dale and we (my 9 yr. old Grandson and I ) built two 2′ x 10′ raised beds and planted 10 plants ( 5 ea. ). We had what I thought was a pretty good yield and have a ton of runners. My question is this. I would like to take some runners and root them for planting. We are in South Carolina and would like guidance on when to do this. Root the runners now or cover them with mulch and do it in the spring? Any advice would be greatly appreciated. Thanks, Dale
I purchased bare root plants last June.
I did exactly as I had read and didn’t allow any runners and no strawberries to grow. I planted them in a 4′ x 6′ raised bed. I just watched them through the summer last year cutting off any questionable leaves and treating with diatomaceous earth for slugs. I used pine straw to winter the strawberries then uncovered them when I checked and found new growrh this spring. There started blooming and I have never seen so many blooms on a plant. There were literally hundreds I’ve strawberries what started blooming the second week in June some has big as the palm of my hand.
They were absolutely delicious, just as sweet as I had hoped and had they good old fashion strawberry taste I remembered as a child. I had so many ripen all at once I was giving strawberries to both of my adult daughters and some of my neighbors.
I think I had strawberry shortcake everynight for 2 weeks…..but no complaints. I loved every minute of it.
The Ozark Beautys are certainly my favorite from now on. I am already planning on mKe a 100 square bed and transplanting the runners. I will treat them as did the first plants Nd not allow berries or runners for the season.
I hope to be rolling (so to say) in Ozark Beauty Strawberries next year. I wanted to make some freezer jam with some but I couldn’t keep my hand out of them, so I guess I will have to wait for fall harvest……Fall Harvest! Yeah!
We live in Oklahoma and just bought Ozark Beauty Strawberry plants from a local nursery/greenhouse. They are doing great, producing runners, small strawberries and the berries are bitter. I just got a bird netting because as soon as on gets red, it gets a bite out of it. So we are supposed to pinch off the flowers now and plant the runners? Are they sour because its the first year? We have had lots of rain and we are growing them in a raised bed. We grew tomatoes in that bed last year. Any suggestions ?
Interesting enough, I went outside one night and dug one up that started to show signs of wilting. About 4 grubs were on the roots. I have since taken care of the problem
I planted some ozarks from bare root on August 19 in Oklahoma. Looking back now, I should have sent them back and got better products. I planted anyways and they seemed to do well and started to produce runners. Then after a lot of rain in September, around October 10 I noticed plants wilting one by one, not all at once. What do you think the cause is? I planted them straight in rows into the ground. Is it possible the soil got too compacted and killed them? Is it possible that the bare roots got green leafs and did well but didn’t develop strong enough roots?
Joel,
Based on what you said, it was probably the wet weather that caused them to wilt. See this for more, and good luck!
I planted Ozark Beauty strawberry plants for the first time in a strawberry tower bag. I removed all the blossoms and runners in the early season and am letting them flower and fruit for the late season. The plants are doing great but I’d like to transplant them into beds for next year since the tower doesn’t provide space for expansion. Should I do this before over wintering or wait until spring to transplant? If I over winter the tower, I plan to make a chicken wire cage around it and stuff it with straw. Thanks for your advice.
Denise Shelton,
It is definitely better to transplant prior to winter, if possible. Usually, September is the best time to transplant. Good luck!
I live in the Netherlands. I recently obtained Ozark Beauty and would also like to try Klondyke, Daybreak, Headliner and Tangi and white fruiting varieties like Christina (virginiana), Keoki and White Pearl (bifera). Who has these or knows where to get these varieties? I grow several, also rare, varieties I could send in return.
I planted Ozark Beauty Strawberries in containers in a tiered container a few weeks ago & they started out producing well & looking happy. Now there is no fruit & the leaves are turning red!! What has happened or what should I do?
Thank You for your time. Susie
Susie,
Does this help? Good luck!
We planted Ozark Beauty root balls mid March in Phoenix, AZ and after 6-weeks there are still no green sprouts. How long should they take to show life?
Chris,
More than likely, are dead. If they haven’t sprouted yet, I’d contact the supplier. They will often send replacements. Good luck!
Mr. Strawberry:
Will the Ozark Beauty strawberry produce in Zone 9 in south Louisiana?
ALSO, I found some at Lowes in March, 2016. They were 5 in a one gallon container. I removed the plastic and pulled up my old variety and planted the Ozark Beauties (10 plants) about 2 feet apart. It is now mid July and I have over 50 new sprouts. Will these sprouts bear next spring if I plant them in October, 2016?
“Pete”
Pete,
Yes, if you transplant the new plants anytime between now and the end of September (or even in October in Zone 9), they will produce next spring for you. Good luck!
Am starting a farm here in South Mississippi (30 minutes from the beach).
Am a native to Southwest Missouri.
I’m looking at all organic. Would Ozark Beauty be a good choice for round here??
Nickle,
You would probably do better with staggering June-bearing varieties that are staggered: some early-season, some mid-season, some late-season. The June-bearing varieties will give you a larger total yield, all things equal, and staggering variety ripening times will allow a longer picking season. The best thing to do if you are serious about it is call you local agricultural extension and ask for their help. They can provide a tremendous amount of assistance that will help you succeed. Good luck!
I live in Miami…i think thays zone11a or b..anyway..i have 8 or 10 plants of a variety i forget and lost the tag to..but i had them for 2 yrs now and all they ever do is spit runners and grow beautiful big leaves..they flower very lil and they berries seldom sprout and if they do they are small and die b4 i notice them…i let them run and transplant them and gave 4 away to a nieghbor growing from the ground(i am a patio potter)..their plants do the same..and i was wondering what can we do diff? they survive the storms..the 90plus degrees..the cold 40degrees and this yr spring is late and i have bigger berries but only one every other week or so…i also just purchased the ozark beauty and am about to transplant…any tips for the sunshine state growing NS/NW on a patio with access to shade??
Spirit,
I’d recommend reading through each of the sections on the Growing Strawberries reference page, and be sure to read each linked page in the table at the top as well. Good luck!
Got a great production in my second year in May-June. Can’t wait for the second round in August. How should I tend to the plants between now and Aug? Remove runners, clean dead leaves out? Should I cut any of the good but older leaves away?
Regan,
I’m glad you got a great harvest! Removing runners and cleaning dead leaves out is good. I wouldn’t cut any healthy leaves off, however. Good luck!