Fragaria ‘Archer’ – June-bearing Strawberry

Strawberry fans, rejoice. This 2016 introduction from New York’s Cornell University concentrates intense flavor in a berry big enough to fill the palm of your hand. Topping out at over 50 grams (a little under 2 ounces), ‘Archer,’ from berry breeder Courtney Weber, is comparable in size to a plum or small peach. But this behemoth stands out in ways beyond just its proportions: the flavor and aroma exceed what you’d expect from a strawberry of such unusual size. “Archer is an extraordinarily high-flavored berry,” according to Weber. Weber’s breeding program also selects for yield and disease resistance and ‘Archer’ is a high-yield variety that’s tolerant to root rots and other common diseases.