Malling Supreme Strawberry
A classic British summer strawberry, beloved for its exceptional flavour and reliable cropping.
Overview
Malling Supreme is a tried-and-tested mid-season strawberry variety, originally developed at the East Malling Research Station in Kent. Renowned throughout the UK for producing large, glossy, deep-red fruits with a rich, sweet flavour, it remains a firm favourite with home gardeners who value quality over convenience. Whether you're growing in a raised bed, an allotment plot, or a large container on the patio, Malling Supreme delivers a generous harvest you can be truly proud of.
Key Characteristics
Fruit Malling Supreme produces impressively large, conical to wedge-shaped berries with a vibrant, deep crimson skin and a bright red flesh throughout. The flavour is intensely sweet with a classic strawberry fragrance — far superior to most supermarket varieties. Fruits are firm enough to handle well yet juicy enough to eat fresh from the plant.
Plant Plants form a vigorous, upright habit with strong, healthy foliage. They are robust growers that establish quickly and send out plenty of runners, making it straightforward to propagate new plants for the following season.
Season Mid-season variety, typically cropping from mid-June through to mid-July in most parts of the UK, depending on your local climate and growing conditions.
Growing Conditions
Position Choose a sunny, sheltered spot that receives at least six hours of direct sunlight each day. Strawberries grown in full sun consistently produce sweeter, more flavourful fruit.
Soil Malling Supreme thrives in rich, well-drained soil with a slightly acidic pH of 6.0–6.5. Avoid waterlogged ground, as this encourages root rot. If your soil is heavy clay, improve drainage by working in plenty of grit and well-rotted compost before planting.
Spacing Plant crowns 30–45 cm apart in rows 75 cm apart. This allows good airflow around the plants, which helps reduce the risk of fungal disease.
Planting Guide
When to Plant Bare-root runners are best planted in late summer (August to September) for a full crop the following year. Pot-grown plants can be planted out from early spring through to early summer for a smaller first-year harvest.
How to Plant Dig a shallow hole and set the crown at soil level — neither too deep nor too proud of the surface. The base of the leaves should just sit at ground level. Firm the soil gently around the roots and water in well. Lay strawberry mat or straw around the plants once fruits begin to form to keep berries clean and retain moisture.
Care & Maintenance
Watering Water regularly during the growing season, particularly during dry spells and while fruits are swelling. Aim to water at the base of the plant rather than overhead to keep foliage dry and reduce the risk of mould.
Feeding Apply a balanced, general-purpose fertiliser in early spring as growth resumes, then switch to a high-potash feed (such as tomato fertiliser) once flowering begins. This encourages abundant, flavourful fruit.
After Fruiting Once cropping has finished, cut back the old foliage to about 10 cm above the crown, clear away any straw or matting, and remove dead leaves. This tidies the plants up and encourages fresh growth for the following year.
Runners Malling Supreme produces plenty of runners. Peg down healthy runners into small pots of compost to create new plants for free. Remove any runners you don't wish to keep, as they divert energy from the parent plant.
Pest & Disease Guidance
Malling Supreme has reasonable disease tolerance, though it is not immune to the usual strawberry challenges. Keep an eye out for:
Slugs and snails — lay slug pellets or use beer traps, and ensure straw is in place to lift fruits off damp soil.
Grey mould (Botrytis) — good airflow and prompt removal of any rotting fruits will greatly reduce the risk. Avoid overhead watering.
Vine weevil — if plants appear to wilt for no obvious reason, check for the distinctive C-shaped grubs at the roots. Biological control (nematodes) is effective and safe for use around food plants.
Birds — protect ripening fruits with netting, as birds will readily strip a bed overnight.
Harvesting
Pick fruits when they are uniformly deep red all over, including at the base and tip. Harvest regularly — every two to three days at peak season — to encourage continued cropping and prevent overripe fruits attracting pests. Handle berries gently to avoid bruising, and eat or refrigerate promptly for the best flavour.
Container Growing
Malling Supreme adapts well to growing in large containers, hanging baskets, and tower planters. Use a good-quality, peat-free multipurpose compost mixed with some slow-release fertiliser granules. Container-grown plants will need more frequent watering and feeding than those in open ground, so check soil moisture daily during warm spells.
Quick reference
| Feature | Detail |
|---|---|
| Type | Mid-season dessert strawberry |
| Fruit size | Large |
| Flavour | Sweet, rich, classic strawberry |
| Crop period | Mid-June to mid-July |
| Plant spacing | 30–45 cm |
| Position | Full sun, sheltered |
| Soil pH | 6.0–6.5 |
| RHS Award | Previously held Award of Garden Merit |
Malling Supreme is an excellent choice for any gardener who wants a reliable, flavourful crop of traditional British strawberries. With a little care and attention, it will reward you with a glorious summer harvest year after year.
Buying Fruit Trees/Bushes from Jacksons Nurseries
Our trees might be Freshly Potted and the root system may not be fully established, and loose soil may occur when unpacking.
Unlike many garden centres, supermarkets and some nurseries here at Jacksons Nurseries we sell the majority of our stock all year round. Our stock is for the most part grown outdoors making it far hardier than those grown under glass and/or only sold ‘In Season’.
Here at Jacksons Nurseries we would favour a hardy outdoor grown plant every time. They are far less likely to suffer from the shock of being planted in colder conditions and they will begin to establish more rapidly the following spring. This can mean that they don’t look like a ‘picture perfect’ plant when purchased out of season but with the correct care and a little time you’ll have a wonderful plant to enjoy for many years to come.
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