Gariguette - the legendary French strawberry

I have never tasted anything like French strawberries. They are soft and sweet with the flavor of strawberry candy - it's hard to believe they could possibly be related to the hard, white, hollow, sour things that pass for strawberries at Driscoll's. I have been trying to produce strawberries as tasty as those I remember from France. From extensive research, I think the French rely on two varieties for their best berries: Mara des Bois and Gariguette. Mara des Bois has picked up a lot popularity in the states over the last five years, and several nursuries offer them on a regular basis (Burpee, Wicked Wilds, Whiteflower Farm, Nourse, etc.). Gariguette, however, seems to be totally unknown in the USA. Some big nurseries sell it online in the U.K. (Ken Muir), but no one here seems to know a thing about it. If anyone in the US or elsewhere has a runner or two of Gariguette, I would be VERY interested in getting some.

I am also very interested in finding this variety. I am growing 'Mara des Bois' this year and am looking forward to trying it. I looked through the USDA Germplasm Respository site (based in Corvallis OR), but even they do not have 'Gariguette' listed. Let's keep our fingers crossed that someone will import it from Europe...

If you all find it, let us know. I've got my Mara des bois planted but I've love to try Gariguette, too.

The seller botanik26 on French ebay (ebay.fr) is willing to ship Gariguettes to the US:

http://cgi.ebay.fr/FRAISIER-GARIGUETTE-R-N-LOT-DE-20-CONFITURE-/110675930955?pt=FR_YO_MaisonJardin_Jardin_PlantesGrainesBulbes&hash=item19c4ccaf4b

I've corresponded with Isabelle in French, but I think she may speak English. I'm not going to order any right away as my strawberry patch is full. From my limited research, it looks like if you have them ship 12 or fewer plants, you don't have to get an APHIS permit. Let me know if anybody decides to get some as I may want to buy your runners in the Fall. It would really be something to have the only Gariguettes in the US, wouldn't it?!

Cadifor, that looks very good - merveilleuse variété, saveur très agréable. I don't have room for them this year either, though. Do you think he'd sell in smaller lots? Seems like a lot of bother. And how did you discover it was Isabelle; the name listed is Thierry!

I wonder if we could still get them next year? Or maybe we should go for it and just plant them in those strawberry pots?

This is great news! Do you think we might be able to arrange a group order? Maybe one person order 12 plants and then sends 2-3 out to interested parties who pay their share?

Here's another source for Gariguette; they say that they will ship overseas but I didn't inquire further as to costs:

http://www.superbstrawberryplants.com/plantproducts.asp?id=11504706925680&SectionID=2&Start=11

I found these people because I was looking for Charlotte strawberries; one of my friends in France is growing these and said they were wonderful. This British company offers them too.

A UK source is even better! If someone wants to make the order, I will be happy to send my share of the cost and shipping for some of the plants.

If we decide to do a group order, count me in! I am interested in 'Gariguette' 'Royal Sovereign' and 'Charlotte.'

Reading through their catalogue again, I have to say I appreciate their honesty and efforts to be objective. They seem very open to admitting if a variety tends to be a martyr to disease or if the flavor is consistently bland and watery. This is quite unlike most American suppliers who talk about each variety as if it were the best, most flavorful and most stunningly wonderful strawberry ever grown. Really now, 'Chandler' and 'Whopper' are not the most delicious strawberries ever grown... Far from it.

Found three more varieties I would like to try in addition to those listed above (dang it, LOL!): 'Rhapsody', 'Cambridge Favorite' and 'Talisman'.

I don't know that I have room for much at this point; I've planted Mara des bois and Cabot already. This source seems to charge by the plant, and I haven't checked the exchange rate to know what I think of their prices. Shipping could be expensive, too. I would love to get Gariguette and Charlotte but I'm not sure where I'd put them. And wouldn't it be easier for us each to order our own? I'm not sure whether there would be any savings or added convenience in going in together. Cadifor, you're not that far from me but Ispahan is. What do you all think?

Shipping will be very expensive. Which is why it would be better to split it several ways. Whoever then receives the original package can resend each person's desired strawberries in a Priority Mail flat rate box or something similar. Strawberries are tough little plants and will likely endure a lot of shipping stress and survive. It all depends on how much we want these rare berries and how much we are willing to spend for them.

Okay, well I'd be willing to share costs and take a few plants. I would definitely want the Gariguettes at the very least. I could always put them in a planter. How do you two feel?

I agree, greenhouse gal - I would definitely want a few Gariguettes and possibly Charlottes as well. You would probably want to contact them before ordering to make sure they know what they're doing as far as making sure things can get past customs, etc.

Okay, I just sent them an inquiry and I'll see how they respond. This should be interesting!

I am in too. I would like Gariguette, Charlotte and Royal Sovereign, perhaps two plants of each. Please let me know results of inquiry.

I'll keep you guys posted when I hear back. Did you see where it said that Royal Sovereign were very prone to diseases, though?

Yes, it is disease prone, but it is supposed to be one of the most famously delicious garden strawberries ever grown. I just have to try it! :-)

Well, that was a dead end. Here's what they just wrote to me:

"I am sorry it is impossible to ship to the US; similarly there are varieties you have there we should like but we have never found a Nursery willing and able to send to the UK either. A shame!"

Cadifor, maybe you can pursue the French connection, now that our appetites have been so cruelly whetted?

It turns out you're supposed to get a phytosanitary certificate to ship strawberries from France. The shipper has to take the plants in for inspection. The Ebay seller offered to ship the plants with no indication of what was inside, but I couldn't do it. What a disappointment!

You're much more scrupulous than I would be. Thanks for checking into it, though. What a shame; I was really hoping for some Gariguette strawberries and I know you were too.

Too bad. Although our plans were foiled this time, hopefully some day we will be able to find them accessible.

Thank you both for checking into this.