Capsun remontant - Fragaria × ananassa 'Toscana' (Everbearing Strawberry)

Fragaria × ananassa 'Toscana' is a hybrid renowned for its ability to produce fruit throughout the season (everbearing) and for its decorative deep pink flowers. This plant combines the usefulness of a rich harvest with an ornamental appearance, making it ideal for gardens, terraces or hanging pots.

Appearance of flowers and fruits

• Flowers : The 'Toscana' strawberry is notable for its unusual, deep pink to pink-red flowers, which appear from May to September-October . Unlike the typical white flowers of strawberries, these are decorative and attract more pollinators such as bees.
• Fruits : The fruits are medium-sized, weighing between 15-25 grams , with a conical shape and a bright red color. The pulp is juicy, firm, with a sweet and aromatic taste, balanced by a slight acidity. The fruits ripen continuously from May - June until the first frosts , providing a prolonged harvest.
• Harvest period : Due to its everbearing nature, it produces fruit in waves throughout the summer and fall, with peaks in June-July and September-October.

Growth characteristics

• Height : It grows compactly, reaching 15-25 cm in height and 30-40 cm in width, making it suitable for small spaces.
• Foliage : The leaves are trifoliate, dark green, glossy, providing an attractive backdrop for the flowers and fruits.
• Vigor : It is a vigorous plant, but not overly expansive, producing stolons (shoots) that can be used for propagation or removed to focus energy on fruiting.

Growing conditions

• Exposure : Prefers full sun , but also tolerates semi-shade, provided it receives at least 6 hours of daily light.
• Soil : It needs fertile, well-drained soil with a neutral or slightly acidic pH (5.5-6.5). Soils rich in organic matter are ideal.
• Watering : Requires regular watering to keep the soil moist but not soaked, especially during hot periods and during fruiting.
• Grooming : Removing stolons and dried leaves helps maintain plant health and stimulate fruit production.
• Pollination : It is self-fertile, but the presence of pollinators can increase yield.

Care and resistance

• Hardiness : Moderately cold hardy, tolerating temperatures down to -15°C to -20°C (USDA zones 5-9), but requires protection (mulch) in harsh winters. Resistant to most common strawberry diseases, such as gray mold, if well ventilated.
• Fertilization : A balanced fertilizer (e.g., 10-10-10) applied in spring and a potassium supplement during fruiting increase production.
• Pests : May be affected by aphids or mites; prevention includes watering the leaves and avoiding excess moisture.

Origin

Fragaria × ananassa is a hybrid resulting from the crossing of Fragaria virginiana (native to North America) and Fragaria chiloensis (native to South America), made in Europe in the 18th century. The variety 'Toscana' was developed by the Italian company ABZ Seeds and introduced to the market in 2011, winning the FleuroStar Award 2011/2012 for its unique combination of pink flowers and quality fruit. It is a modern selection, created to meet the demand for edible ornamental plants, being popular in Europe and North America for its appearance and productivity.