Propagating Alpine Strawberries
It is the time of year again to propagate our alpine strawberries ( Fragaria vesca ). Throughout the summer, these tiny ruby-red gems burst with a sour sweetness far more flavoursome than full sized garden strawberries. I know this is a stroke of good luck, however, because the same can't be said of all alpine or wild strawberries. Many look luscious, but taste of little more than watery nothingness, from personal experience. I know you're now anxious to know what variety I grow. Unfortunately, I'm at a loss to tell you. The single little plant I originally bought was sold simply as an alpine strawberry. This is interesting in itself, however, because alpine strawberries are not known for producing runners . These ones definitely do. Just take a look at this tangle. All those new little daughters are still attached to their mother plants by runners, also called stolons , that act a lot like umbilical cords. The fact these plants produce such exuberant runners ha...