Is the Strawberry a Vine or a Bush?

Vine-Like Tendencies

• Strawberries spread through runners, or long stems, that extend 12 to 18 inches from the main plant. When the runners make contact with soil, they form new plants. June-bearing strawberry varieties, such as Earliglow and Honeoye, produce many runners. Ever-bearing varieties, such as Fort Laramie and Ozark Beauty, and day-neutral types produce few runners. Although the runners may seem vine-like, they don't have tendrils or aerial rootlets to climb trellises or structures like most vines.

Bush-Like Growth

• Strawberry plants have dense, lush foliage and produce glossy, scalloped leaves. They may grow more than 1 foot high, depending on the variety, giving them a bush-like appearance. However, strawberry plants don't produce woody branches or stems, but soft, vegetative growth. They remain productive for three to five years with proper care, whereas most shrubs and bushes live many years. Some gardeners prefer to grow strawberries as annuals.

Care

• Plant strawberries in spring in northern climates or fall in the South from bare-root plants or nursery transplants. The plants require fertile soil, full sun and more water than most perennial bushes or vines. Unlike bushes and vines that need only light pruning, strawberries need extensive annual renovation to keep them productive. After the harvest, remove young weak plants so the strawberry rows are no wider than 12 inches. Cut back or mow the leaves of the remaining plants.

Fruit Production

• Most fruit-bearing bushes, such as raspberries and blueberries, produce good yields of fruit two or three years after planting. Ever-bearing and day-neutral strawberries produce fruit the first summer. After planting, remove all the fruits and flowers until July to allow strawberries to produce strong roots. You'll forfeit June-bearing varieties' first harvest, but ever-bearing and day-neutral plants will produce a late summer harvest.