Berry Bushes That Do Not Require a Lot of Sunlight

Lingonberry

• Lingonberries (Vaccinium vitis-idaea), produce small, tart red berries used for jams, syrups and wine. They are low-growing evergreen plants with small, green boxwood-type leaves that prefer bright shade over direct sun. Slowly spreading by underground rhizomes, they make a good evergreen ground cover.

Huckleberry

• Native to North America, huckleberries grow in sun or shade. The evergreen huckleberry (Vaccinium ovatum) is native to the West Coast and produces better-tasting fruit in shade than sun, although it will grow in both. In sun, it stays compact, to less than 3 feet tall; in shade it stretches to 6 or 7 feet. Huckleberries are a traditional food for Native Americans as well as a favorite of bears.

Blackberry

• Blackberries aren't fussy about soil or light conditions and will produce berries in bright shade. They yield more and bigger berries in direct sun. Train the bushes on a strong trellis as they are vigorous growers.

Currant and Gooseberry

• Closely related, native currants (Ribes sativum) and gooseberries (Ribes hirtellum) will tolerate shade. Their crops will be better the more sun they get, but they will produce fruit in a bright area even if it doesn't receive direct sunlight.

Serviceberry

• The native Juneberry or serviceberry (Amelanchier) is a large shrub or tree that grows about 12 feet tall. It produces clusters of tasty dark purple berries in June. It will grow in sun or shade and is a favorite of birds and squirrels, who are likely to get the fruit before you do because they don't wait for it to ripen.