FRAISES DES BOIS (Fragaria vesca) or ALPINE STRAWBERRY is a remarkable treasure of a fruit that has little relationship in growing habits or taste to its larger cousins. These tiny but intensely fragrant and sweet fruits cast few runners, making them perfect choices to grow in window boxes, rock gardens or even indoors in your Aerogarden. They grow about 10" high and spread about 8". Beloved in Europe, where for centuries they were enjoyed by royalty, but little known in America and rarely found in markets because they should only be picked when absolutely ripe - and then they are just too fragile to ship. They produce fruit all year round if their environment is conducive. Just a few of these gems on your morning cereal will give you a new outlook on life! Or served alone with clotted cream as the Victorians enjoyed them! With their pretty white flowers and bright red cone-shaped berries they make a beautiful decorative as well, so start lots and use them to edge your herb bed! 25 Seeds.
MEDICINAL: Not typically associated in the modern mind with medicinal use, Alpine Strawberry was historically commonly used in many different capacities. All parts of the plant were used. The root for diarrhea. The stalks for wounds. The leaves as astringents. Teas made from the leaves are wonderful for digestion (and diarrhea) and to stimulate the appetite. The crushed fruit is very soothing to the skin and has antibacterial properties, AND interestingly can be applied to teeth (with baking soda) or skin to "bleach it white." The berries are an excellent source of Vitamin C and recent studies show them to be high in antioxidants, making them one to add to your cancer protection diet.
GROWING TIPS: Freeze the seed for 3-4 weeks before sowing. They need dark to germinate. Start in pots. Cover lightly and keep at 65-70 degrees. Set out in 9-10 weeks to their permanent homes (after last frost date) into rich, well-drained soil supplemented with lots of organic material.
CHERRYGAL HEIRLOOM GARDEN SEEDS & PLANTS offer hundreds of heirloom and vintage open-pollinated varieties! Most have histories dating back centuries and are tried and true producers. Some are rare, or threatened with extinction. When you grow a plant from heirloom seed and save that seed, you are participating in a practice that goes back for generations. Our grandparents and their grandparents grew these varieties. Often the seeds were prized possessions carried to the New World when they emigrated.
Ever notice how most seed catalogs require you to buy (and pay for) much more seed than you could ever possibly use in a season? If you have a budget for garden seeds, this limits your choices! Although seeds can be viable for longer than one growing season, it requires that they be stored at a consistent temperature and humidity. Few of us do this. CherryGal sizes its seed packets for the home gardener, because we know you may want to grow 5 different lettuces, or three different corns, and don’t want to have to take out a second mortgage to do so! CHERRYGAL SEEDS ARE A TREMENDOUS BARGAIN!
All seeds offered are FRESH stock, with high germination rates. Varieties are specially selected for home gardeners. If you want the flavor you remember from grandma's kitchen garden or the beauty of her cottage flowers, choose CHERRYGAL HEIRLOOM SEEDS.
ABOUT OPEN-POLLINATED SEEDS . . . All CherryGal Heirloom Seeds are heirlooms (dating at least 100 years) or vintage (mid-20th Century or older) OPEN-POLLINATED varieties. This means saved seed will be true to the parent. Don't be dazzled by the never-ending array of hybrid seeds promoted by gardening suppliers. First, seeds from that produce will not grow true to the parent -- you have to keep buying hybrid seed. Second, most hybrids are developed for market – not home -- growers with an emphasis on extended shelf life, storage and shipping qualities -- NOT flavor, texture and all those other elements that home growers seek.
All CHERRYGAL HEIRLOOM SEEDS come from reputable growers (most of them small farms) and wherever possible ORGANIC suppliers (so noted). By buying CHERRYGAL SEEDS you are supporting the growing worldwide movement of SUSTAINABLE AGRICULTURE and with a little practice you will be able to save even more money in the future by growing open-pollinated varieties and saving seed for next year. All my seeds are DOUBLE GERMINATION TESTED: First by my growers and then by me. Please Note: CherryGal Heirloom Seeds are guaranteed to be fresh stock, but are not guaranteed as to results (sorry - we wish we could, but there are too many variables in gardening) so please do not ask to return. However, we think you will be pleased and would like to hear about your gardening success!
SHIPPING: I endeavor to ship my seeds as quickly as possible - usually within 24 - 48 hours. If there is a need for more time, you will be advised at time of purchase and shipped as soon as possible. In the event an item becomes unavailable or temporarily out of stock I will offer you a chance to substitute another selection or refund you immediately. I package my seeds for shipping in a manner appropriate to the amount and type of seed - larger orders and larger seeds require more packaging. I also combine multiple orders of the same seed variety, where practical, in one envelope unless you request otherwise. This is an ecological measure, not a cost-saving one. Whether you choose first class mail or priority shipping, your seeds will ship using a delivery confirmation number which will be supplied to you.
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