What Berry Can Grow in Mostly Shade?

Blackberries

• Blackberries (Rubus spp.) are native to woodlands, thriving in U.S. Department of Agriculture plant hardiness zones 4 through 9. They are adapted to growing in less light and will bear fruit in mostly shade, although crops will be better with more sun. Like raspberries, which are hardy in USDA zones 3 through 8, blackberries need regular pruning and training. The fruit is eaten fresh and used for pies, jams and jellies.

Lingonberries

• Lingonberries (Vaccinium vitis-idaea), which thrive in USDA zones 3 through 9, produce small, bright red berries on low-growing, evergreen plants in shade. Reaching less than 1 foot high, and spreading by underground runners, lingonberries make a good ground cover, even if you don’t want to eat the fruit. Native to Scandinavia, lingonberries, which resemble cranberries in tartness, are used to make syrups, jams and sauces.

Alpine Strawberries

• Alpine strawberries (Fragraria vesca) perform well in part shade, producing small red, white or yellow strawberries with intense flavor. They grow in USDA zones 5 through 9, but should be mulched well for winter in zones 5 and 6. Alpine strawberries are ever-bearers, so fruit is set from spring through fall. The flavor is said to be reminiscent of pineapple.

Huckleberries

• Huckleberries (Vaccinium spp.) are related to blueberries and are native to North America, growing in sun or shade in USDA zones 4 through 8. In the wild, they grow as understory plants beneath taller trees. Red huckleberry (Vaccinium parvifolium) produces tart red berries, while blue huckleberry (Vaccinium membranaceum) yields delicious dark purple berries that can be eaten fresh and in pies.

Currants

• Currants (Ribes spp.) fruit well in shade and grow in USDA zones 3 through 8. They flower in early spring, to the delight of hungry hummingbirds, and produce red berries in midsummer. Red currant (Ribes rubrum) grows about 5 feet tall and wide, producing heavy crops of berries used in pies, jams and jellies. The berries are high in vitamins A and C.