Can Strawberries Grow in Shade? Your Guide to Choosing the Best Shade-Tolerant Varieties

Strawberries are a delicious and versatile fruit that can be enjoyed fresh, baked into desserts, or used to flavor drinks and other foods While most strawberry plants thrive in full sun, some gardeners with shady yards wonder can strawberries grow in shade?

The short answer is yes! With the right variety selection, it is possible to grow strawberries in partial shade. While they do require at least 4-6 hours of direct sun per day, some shade-tolerant strawberry cultivars can still produce a modest harvest with less than the 8-10 hours of full sun preferred by most strawberry plants.

In this article, we’ll cover everything you need to know about successfully growing strawberries in the shade, including:

• The differences between shade-loving wild strawberries and full sun hybrids
• Recommended strawberry varieties for partial shade
• Tips for maximizing yields in shady gardens
• Ideal site selection and care for shade-grown strawberries

Let’s get started with the basics of how sun requirements differ between strawberry types.

Wild Strawberries vs. Hybrids: Why Some Thrive in Shade

There are two main types of strawberries when it comes to shade tolerance: wild strawberries and hybrid strawberries.

Wild Strawberries

Wild strawberries like alpine strawberries (Fragaria vesca) naturally grow in shaded forest areas and woodland edges across North America, Europe, and Asia. They are adapted to take advantage of small patches of dappled sunlight.

Alpine strawberries produce tiny, intensely flavored berries continuously throughout the growing season They form a compact mound of foliage rather than spreading aggressively via runners like hybrid varieties For gardens with partial shade, alpine strawberries are a perfect choice.

Other wild strawberries like woodland strawberries (Fragaria vesca ‘Semperflorens’) also make lovely groundcovers for shady spots. They produce modest yields of small, sweet berries from spring to fall.

Hybrid Strawberries

Hybrid strawberries most gardeners are familiar with are crosses between two wild strawberry species from North and South America (Fragaria virginiana and Fragaria chiloensis). We have breeders to thank for creating large, juicy, abundantly-fruiting hybrids like ‘Chandler’ and ‘Earliglow’.

However, these hybrids lose their vigor and crop potential in too much shade. Unlike wild types, they perform best in full sun with at least 8 hours of direct sunlight daily. But with thoughtful selection and care, some can still produce reasonably well in light shade.

Now that we’ve covered the reasons why wild strawberries tolerate shade better than most hybrids, let’s look at some recommended shade tolerant varieties.

Top Strawberry Variety Picks for Partial Shade

While no strawberry will fruit as heavily in shade versus full sun, the following varieties can still yield enough sweet berries to make growing them in shade worthwhile:

‘Alexandria’ Alpine Strawberry

This Fragaria vesca cultivar is the poster child for shade-tolerant strawberries. The compact, mound-forming plants produce pretty white flowers and loads of petite, aromatic berries all season long. With at least 4 hours of sun, ‘Alexandria’ alpine strawberry thrives and fruits steadily.

‘Lipstick’ Alpine Strawberry

Another dwarf alpine strawberry bred for hanging baskets and containers, ‘Lipstick’ boasts extra-large, ruby red berries with intense flavor. The plants only reach about 6 inches tall and can fruit continuously if kept picked. With some afternoon shade, ‘Lipstick’ yields impressively.

‘Yellow Wonder’ Alpine Strawberry

For something different, this golden-fruited alpine strawberry variety brightens up shady spots. The light yellow fruits have a milder sweetness that makes for a refreshing treat. The compact plants produce berries from early summer through fall.

‘Seascape’ Day-Neutral Strawberry

Day-neutral hybrids like ‘Seascape’ perform better in shade than June-bearing types, producing some fruit throughout the growing season. The large berries feature a glistening red exterior with ruby-red flesh. With at least 5-6 hours of sun, ‘Seascape’ will reward you with its good yields and disease resistance.

‘Toscana’ Day-Neutral Strawberry

This everbearing strawberry boasts extra-large, conical fruits with enticing fragrance and sweet, complex flavor. The compact, vigorous Italian variety thrives with 5-6 hours of sun and continues producing berries from summer until frost.

‘Tristar’ Day-Neutral Strawberry

Widely adapted and praised for its heavy yields and disease resistance, ‘Tristar’ is a wise choice for partially shaded gardens. Expect harvests of large, glossy red berries spring through fall given 4-6 hours of daily sun.

‘Mara des Bois’ June-Bearing Strawberry

While most June-bearers need full sun, this exceptionally flavorful French hybrid handles partial shade well. The small to mid-sized, pointed fruits have a rich, intensely sweet taste that shines through even in lighter yields. With about 5-6 hours of sun, ‘Mara des Bois’ will fruit reliably each early summer.

Now that we’ve covered some top shade-friendly strawberry varieties to try, let’s look at how to optimize your site and care for successful shade production.

Site Selection and Growing Tips for Shade-Loving Strawberries

To help your strawberries thrive in shade, keep these key site selection and care tips in mind:

• Prioritize morning sun: Plants use morning light more efficiently for photosynthesis. Aim for an east-facing location.

• Watch for reflected sunlight: Even if direct sun is limited, reflective surfaces like white walls can boost light.

• Remove dense shade: Prune back overhanging branches or vegetation blocking available sunlight.

• Improve drainage: Add organic matter like compost to help sandy or clay soils hold moisture but still drain well.

• **Use raised beds:**Elevate planting rows or beds at least 6-12 inches to improve drainage and light exposure.

• Space plants properly: Allow 12-15 inches between plants to prevent crowding and competition for sunlight.

• Water consistently: Provide 1-2 inches of water per week, avoiding wet foliage which can lead to disease. Use drip irrigation or soaker hoses.

• Use shade fabrics: Drape insect netting or shade cloth to provide filtered light and protect from birds. Remove once fruit ripens.

• Weed vigilantly: Reduce competition from weeds which will otherwise steal light and moisture. Apply mulch to suppress weeds.

• Prune off runners: Removing runners on hybrids helps concentrate energy into fruit production rather than plant growth.

• Renew plants promptly: Replant strawberry beds every 3-4 years once yields start declining.

The Final Word on Growing Strawberries in Shade

Full sun may be ideal, but with the right varieties and care, it is possible to successfully grow strawberries in shade. Focus on shade-tolerant alpine and day-neutral types that can produce with as little as 4-6 hours of direct sunlight.

Make the most of the available light by elevating beds, removing dense shade, and maintaining plants diligently. While overall yields will be lower than in full sun, the sweet berries you harvest from the shade will be well worth savoring.

So don’t despair if your yard is shady – you can still reap a bountiful (if smaller) strawberry harvest. With this guide’s tips on shade-loving varieties, proper site selection, and attentive care, your shaded strawberry patch can thrive and fruit to provide you with a delightful dose of homegrown, sun-kissed flavor.