Of course, most of us associate garden strawberries or wild strawberries with large, sweet, fragrant and exceptionally red berries. Modern selection has destroyed this stereotype. Now you can find a white garden strawberry, which by taste passed many traditional “red” varieties.
Selection history
Surprisingly, garden strawberries with unusual white fruits were known in Europe several centuries ago. The hybrid was obtained by crossing two wild varieties grown on the American continent (Chilean and northern or Virgin berries). White-fruited strawberries almost disappeared. However, in 2009, a group of Dutch breeders led by Hans da Young again recreated an unusual hybrid, giving it the name Pineberry (pictured above). That was just the beginning.
Over the following years, a large number of new varieties of white strawberries were bred in France, Japan, Britain, the Netherlands. They differ not only in shades of berry taste, but also in resistance to drought, cold, various specific infections, etc. In commercial cultivation, these hybrids are not so popular due to the high cost of planting material.
Features of White Strawberry
This hybrid has such an unusual fruit color due to the absence of a special protein in the genome of Fra a1 (Fragaria allergen 1). Numerous studies have shown that it is he who is responsible for the red color of the berries and can cause an allergic reaction. In white-fruit varieties, protein is completely absent or is present in an insignificant amount. In this regard, unripe berries are colored green , and ripe ones are white, sometimes with a slight pink blush. This fact makes white - fruit varieties absolutely safe for allergy sufferers.
The berries of white strawberries are smaller than red strawberries.
White-fruited hybrids have, as a rule, compact bushes and brushes, which allows them to be used even in small areas. Productivity is low, but the plants are unpretentious, resistant to adverse environmental conditions, diseases. They have a specific aroma and taste.
Among the many varieties offered by seed producers, it can be quite difficult to make the right choice. We suggest you pay attention to those described below. They have proven themselves on the positive side and have good reviews from gardeners.
White swede
A variety of Swedish breeding, medium ripening. It is characterized by large and fragrant berries weighing 40 g for the first harvest and about 25 g for the subsequent ones. The color of the fruit is almost white with pale pink sides, the shape is regular conical (pictured above). The pulp has a sweet and sour taste and a pleasant characteristic aroma. The plant forms medium-sized bushes with a small number of mustaches.
Reviews about white strawberries of this variety are exceptionally good. Summer residents note its drought - and frost resistance. In addition, the plant tolerates temperature fluctuations in the winter and thaws, return frosts, is resistant to fungal diseases and is not of interest to birds.
White Swan
The variety bred by Japanese breeders is a dessert. Of course, three of its main advantages are remontance , high productivity and the absence of a mustache. The plant forms a low (15 - 20 cm) and compact bush. The berries are white, elongated, small, weighing only 2.5 - 4 g , but many are formed. They have a special taste with a touch of linden honey .
Sometimes the White Swan is confused with another variety of Japanese selection, the White Lotus. The second hybrid is characterized by lower productivity and small berries of white-yellow color.
Yellow miracle
A variety of white strawberries The yellow miracle appeared on the domestic market for a long time and was widely used in temperate regions. He was bred in Holland, is a remont. The plant forms loose bushes with a height of 20 - 25 cm. The berries have an elongated-conical shape, each weighs 4 - 5 g. The pulp is sweet, with an unobtrusive delicate aroma. At the beginning of ripening, the berries have a yellow or amber color, which gradually changes to a light, banana-yellow .
The variety is characterized by medium winter hardiness and good immunity to pests and diseases.
Anablanca
A variety of white strawberries Anablanca recently bred. Meet it on sale is a rarity. However, if this happens, in no case do not pass by. Variety bred in France. It is characterized by exclusively white or with a light pink tint berries weighing 5 - 8 g . Pineapple notes are distinctly traced in their aroma and taste.
Anablanca is highly resistant to diseases, and this makes it suitable for the so-called eco-cultivation , that is, without the use of chemicals.
The plant forms compact bushes, a compact landing can be used. In warm autumn, the variety is prone to repeated fruiting.