Though they are incredibly productive, they also tend to be labor intensive. First of all, the picking season lasts the entire summer. Failure to keep the plants picked, in some areas, may result in a fungal disease that is caused by rotting berries. Also, the plants themselves are more fragile than other types and may be more susceptible to the effects of weeds, insects, or drought. They are much more common in Europe than in the States, where they are only likely to be found in gourmet desserts at four-star restaurants.
Alpine strawberries produce small, roundish, intensely flavorful fruits all summer.
The plants don t produce runners, so they are easily maintained. As they are evergreen, they can make an attractive edging to flower or shrub beds, or can be planted in their own patch. Managing a strawberry patch closely is essential, due to the plants tendency to put out runners. Each runner produces an offspring plant, which in turn sends out its own runners. Overgrown berry patches quickly become unproductive.