Gardening in shady areas can seem limiting at first. Many popular fruits need full sun to prosper. However, with a bit of planning, you can still enjoy fresh, homegrown produce even in low-light conditions.
Strawberries
These sweet red berries grow on small plants close to the ground. This makes them a great option for partly shaded beds or borders. Go for alpine varieties like ‘Alexandria’ or ‘Lipstick’ which fruit heavily in shade. Pop some straw around the base to keep the berries clean.
Blueberries
Blueberry bushes thrive in dappled sunlight. Plant in moist, acidic soil enriched with organic matter. Choose early, mid and late season types like ‘Sunshine Blue’ or ‘Pink Lemonade’ to extend your harvest. Net the bushes to keep the birds away!
Raspberries
Raspberries produce their plump, juicy berries on canes that emerge each year from perennial roots. Some everbearing varieties like ‘Heritage’ or ‘Fall Gold’ will fruit continuously from midsummer until fall. Train the canes along supports or trellises in bright, indirect light.
Gooseberries
Gooseberry bushes produce smooth skinned berries great for pies, jams and sauces. The thorns on some varieties also make them a good barrier hedge. Gooseberries tolerate partial shade and do well against a shady wall or fence. Try heavy cropping types like ‘Hinnomaki Red’.
Currants
Both red and black currants grow happily in dappled shade. Plant in groups for good pollination and fruit set. Red currants like ‘Rovada’ produce clusters of tart red berries perfect for jellies. Blackcurrants such as ‘Ben Sarek’ give a higher yield and make delicious cordials.
Elderberries
Elderberry shrubs thrive in partial shade and suit growing at the edge of a wooded area. The flowers and berries attract wildlife, while you can harvest the berries for elderberry wine! Choose a heavy cropping variety like ‘Johns’ or ‘York’ for the best results.
Ground Cherries
Also called cape gooseberries, these unusual fruits grow in husks like tiny paper lanterns. Varieties like ‘Aunt Molly’s’ produce sweet, pineapple flavored berries that ripen to a golden yellow. Ground cherries tolerate shade and are ideal for the dappled light under trees.
Mulberries
Mulberry trees are unfussy plants which will tolerate a range of conditions, including partial shade. They produce plenty of sweet, juicy black or red berries ideal for snacking on fresh. Grow a dwarf mulberry like ‘Charlotte Russe’ in a large container if space is limited.
Citrus
You may be surprised to learn that some citrus trees can cope with a lightly shaded site, especially in hot climates. Key lime, yuzu, calamondin orange and kumquat all produce fruit with only minimal direct sun. Plant in free-draining soil.
Pawpaw
The pawpaw tree produces smooth, custardy fruits with hints of banana, mango and pear. Also called a poor man’s banana, pawpaws thrive in moist, fertile soil in light shade. Plant at least two trees for successful pollination and fruit set.
Cloudberry
Also known as the bakeapple, the cloudberry is a creeping hardy perennial. The harvest season for these amber-colored berries is quite short, but well worth it for their distinct sweet yet tart taste. Provide evenly moist acidic soil.
Huckleberry
Nothing beats the unique flavor of fresh huckleberries! These small berries thrive in partial shade and suit planting under the canopy of taller trees. Huckleberries need highly acidic, sandy soil rich in organic matter. Evergreen types like Vaccinium ovatum are best for mild winter areas.
Jostaberries
This complex hybrid berry crosses the gooseberry with black currant. Jostaberries produce medium-sized berries with a flavor like sweet gooseberry with hints of blackcurrant. They fruit heavily even in partial shade. Protect from birds with netting.
Honeyberry
Also known as haskap, honeyberry is a hardy bush that flowers early and produces clusters of blueberry-like berries. They tolerate winter cold and light shade, so are ideal for northern gardens. For heavier yields, try the cultivated varieties over wild types.
Aronia Berry
Aronia berries are not as well known as other fruits, but just as tasty when made into jams or wine! The dark purple-black berries are high in antioxidants. Aronia bushes suit growing in partial shade and require very little maintenance.
With the right plant choices, lack of full sun won’t limit your fruit growing adventures. These berry bushes, trees and vines will reward you with a bountiful harvest with only moderate light. Carefully select varieties that suit your climate and site. Then get ready to enjoy bushels of luscious homegrown fruit, even in the shade!