A few years ago I planted a little edging of these alpine strawberries, Fragaria vesca. They're dainty - less juicy and about half the size of regular strawberries.
They have a terrific flavor and will produce early and all summer long.
They don't send out runners, so these are a great way to grow produce in neighborhoods with restrictive homeowners association rules. Just plant a row of these along a walk and they'll do double duty as a very attractive and edible edging.
Plus, you can use these the same way you use regular strawberries, though it might take a while longer to get enough for a batch of jam.
If you can only get a cup of berries, use them for this Strawberry Mango Mint Freezer Jam. It's our favorite freezer jam and takes only 1 cup of strawberries to 3 cups of chopped mango. Perfect for these little alpine beauties.
You can find the berries at many garden centers and online. Get a bunch and enjoy!
