Strawberries require at least eight hours of sun but what if you have a shadier landscape? Can strawberries grow in shade? Strawberry lovers with shaded yards rejoice because, yes, you can grow strawberries in shade, provided you select shady strawberry varieties.
Interested in growing strawberries in shade? Read on to learn about shade tolerant strawberry varieties.
Can Strawberries Grow in Shade?
It is true that strawberries need at least eight hours of sunlight to produce, so what a shaded yard needs aren’t the cultivated strawberry we’ve become accustomed to. Instead, you are looking for a shade tolerant strawberry which will be a variety of wild strawberry.
Cultivated strawberries (Fragaria x ananassa) are hybrid species of the genus Fragaria created by the fusion of Chilean Fragaria chiloensis and the North American Fragaria virginiana. Wild strawberries are the type of strawberries for shade.
Growing Wild Strawberries in Shade
When we are talking wild strawberry for shade, we are speaking of alpine strawberries. Alpine strawberries grow wild along the perimeters of forests in Europe, North and South America, northern Asia, and Africa.
Alpine strawberries (Fragaria vesca) for shade do not send out runners. They fruit continuously throughout the growing season, which is a good thing since alpine berries tend to be smaller and less prolific than hybrid varieties.
Alpine strawberries are less fussy than the hybrids as well. Provided they get at least four hours of sun per day and their soil is aerated, rich in organic matter, and moisture retentive these little beauties will thrive.
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Shade tolerant strawberries are suited to USDA zones 3 through 10 and require minimal maintenance. There are several alpine strawberry varieties, each with its own special characteristic but the one that is most recommended for an area primarily of shade is ‘Alexandria.’
‘Yellow Wonder,’ a yellow alpine strawberry, is also said to do fairly well in shade. In either case, just be aware that alpine strawberries do not fruit as prolifically as the larger hybrid varieties. When they do fruit, however, they are absolutely sublime and the perfect type of strawberries to grow in shade.
FAQs
Strawberries require at least eight hours of sun but what if you have a shadier landscape? Can strawberries grow in shade? Strawberry lovers with shaded yards rejoice because, yes, you can grow strawberries in shade, provided you select shady strawberry varieties.
What strawberries will grow in the shade? ›
Alpine strawberries bear small amounts of fruit all summer long. They don't put out runners, so they won't grow in places you don't want them to grow. A variety of strawberry marketed as Alexandria is suited for growing in shady locations in USDA Growing Zones 3 through 10.
What berries grow best in shade? ›
Anything that grows as a groundcover (alpine strawberry, cranberry, bearberry) or low-growing shrub (lingonberry, lowbush blueberry, creeping Taiwan raspberry) may bear successfully in limited sunlight. If you have a patch of yard that is mainly shady and space enough for a larger shrub, consider an elderberry.
What is the most shade tolerant fruit tree? ›
Plum varieties, such as 'Czar,' can be grown in areas of the garden that get morning sun and afternoon shade. Plums should be planted as dormant, bare-root trees in an area that stays moist but not too wet. Rhubarb is another shade-loving fruit, or rather vegetable plant, popular for rhubarb pies.
What month is best to plant strawberries? ›
Once the ground is thawed, usually from mid-February onwards, soak the roots for a few hours in water then plant in well-draining soil. With potted ones, plant from mid-March outside for best results. You can plant them in strawberry beds, pots or hanging baskets, just make sure any plant pots have drainage holes.
Where not to plant strawberries? ›
Plants like tomatoes, eggplant, potatoes, melons, peppers, roses, mint, and okra may actually contribute to this deadly disease in strawberry plants. It is essential to note that strawberries should not even be planted in beds that have recently housed those plants on this list.
Do strawberries like morning or afternoon sun? ›
When planting strawberries, choose a spot with full sun. In warm regions, try to provide morning sun with some shade protection during the hottest part of the day. Soil should have excellent drainage.
What berries don't need full sun? ›
I'd be happy to get more of these growing in my shady areas. These are plants I grow in shade with only few hrs of afternoon sun - currant, raspberries, blueberries and haskap. All are prospering well except haskap which doesn't like the hot summers. currants and gooseberries.
Does anything edible grow in shade? ›
Above: Many leafy greens perform well in shade. From nasturtiums to lettuces, cresses, kales, and pea shoots, you will be able to grow you own salad bowls without hours of direct sun.
Can blueberries survive in shade? ›
While they are tolerant of shade, they thrive in sunlight. Other trees too close to the bushes shade them from the sunlight and steal the moisture from the soil. Additionally, blueberries thrive in acidic soil.
Shade-Tolerant Vegetables and Herbs
- arugula, endive, lettuce, sorrel, spinach.
- collards, kale, mustard greens, swiss chard.
- beets, carrots, potatoes, radishes, rutabaga, turnips.
- Broccoli and cauliflower, brussels sprouts, cabbage.
- mint, chervil, chives, coriander/cilantro, oregano, parsley.
Raspberries grow best in a sunny location, but unlike many fruits, they will also grow successfully in a partially shaded spot. However, the more sun, the more fruit! The planting site should have rich and well-drained soil, great air circulation, and shelter from the wind.
How much sun do strawberries need? ›
Strawberries require sun to produce fruit. Ten or more hours of sunlight each day is ideal,but they need a minimum of six hours of direct sunlight each day. Before planting, a soil test will help you find out if you need to add any nutrients to your soil.
How many years will a strawberry plant produce? ›
With proper care strawberry beds will produce good crops for three to five years, beginning one year after planting. An initial planting of 100 plants should provide enough fruit for a family of four, with surplus for freezing or making preserves.
What is the best fertilizer for strawberries? ›
The best fertilizer for strawberries is usually a 10-10-10 or 12-12-12 balanced fertilizer. If you keep an organic garden, choose from all-natural fertilizers, including blood meal, kelp meal, soybean meal, and alfalfa meal.
How often should I water strawberries? ›
During normal weather conditions, strawberries need water equal to 1 to 1.5 inches of rain each week. During hot, dry periods, water as needed to prevent shallow roots from drying out. Plants in containers may need daily watering. Always water early in the day so that foliage dries well before nightfall.
Do wild strawberries like sun or shade? ›
Wild Strawberries are easily grown in a variety of soils. They prefer full sun or light shade, and well-drained situations. Wild Strawberry fruits are much smaller than cultivated strawberries, which are hybrids developed from Fragaria virginiana and the South American F. chiloensis.
Do strawberry trees like sun or shade? ›
Planting A Strawberry Tree
Find a spot with ample sunlight—full sun is preferable, but a bit of partial shade should be just fine. Try to keep it about 25 feet from any other large trees, unless you plan on frequently pruning it to keep it at a more compact size.
What strawberries bloom all summer? ›
Although they are generally called everbearing strawberries as well, day-neutral strawberries do not require any specific day length to set fruit. Day-neutral strawberry plants usually produce fruit throughout the growing season.
