Sweetheart, Strawberry

Bred at East Malling Research, this elegant selection is another outstanding variety that can be successfully grown without high input costs.

Cropping at the same time as Elsanta, Sweetheart has attractive berries which are uniformly conic, larger and slightly darker than Elsanta, with good skin strength. Sweetheart is far less susceptible to bruising than Sonata and is easy to handle in the packhouse.

Brix levels are higher than Elsanta and the flavour is very pleasant with a good balance of sweetness and acidity. Yields well in excess of 6 tonnes per acre and Class I percentages in excess of 90% have been achieved from commercially grown, open ground production, over a long picking season. 60-day yields are modest. The variety has a compact but vigorous habit, with a denser canopy than Elsanta but with well displayed fruit. The variety has reasonable resistance to Powdery Mildew. Sweetheart is susceptible to Crown Rot but appears to be tolerant to Verticillium Wilt under field conditions.

Certified Stock

Fresh standard plants: £218 per thousand
Cold stored A- grade plants: £176.50 per thousand
Cold stored A grade plants: £224.50 per thousand
Cold stored A+ grade plants: £336.50 per thousand