Sunlight provides energy and all plants need some sunlight to grow. There are, however, several fruit trees and shrubs that you can grow in partially shaded areas of your garden. If you are looking for shade-loving fruit trees you are in luck as these few are one of the best choices for your garden.
Gooseberries
Gooseberries are small shrubs that are attractive in your garden landscape. These shrubs do well in an area that is partly sunny with some afternoon shade. To maximize their fruiting potential, prune the shrubs each winter to keep them in top form. The pruning will help improve airflow and help grow healthier branches for their next fruit production.
![Gooseberry fruits ready for harvest](https://www.gardenandhome.co.za/wp-content/uploads/2024/08/Gooseberries.jpeg)
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Blackberry trees
Even without full sun, these vine-like trees will tend to form dense thickets. The flowers will attract numerous pollinators, and thus the fruits will attract wildlife. Although they grow large in full sun, these adaptable trees can produce abundant fruits even in shady areas.
![Blackberries grow in the garden. Ripe and unripe blackberries on a bush.](https://www.gardenandhome.co.za/wp-content/uploads/2024/08/Blackberry-trees.jpeg)
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Pawpaw
Typically found growing as an understory plant that is quite tolerant of shade. Pawpaws are attractive smaller trees resembling a crossbreed between a banana and a pear. The fruit is soft, fleshy and sweet containing a few large seeds. When planting pawpaw trees, you need patience as it takes them several years to reach fruiting maturity.
![Pawpaws ripening on Tree in Forest](https://www.gardenandhome.co.za/wp-content/uploads/2024/08/Pawpaw.jpeg)
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Pomegranate trees
Pomegranate trees are adaptable, growing and producing in full and partial shade. The quantity of fruit produced by the tree is determined by the size of the area in which it is grown. In the spring pomegranate trees bloom with showy red flowers attracting birds and insect pollinators. During the summer, your tree will be busy producing the tasty pomegranate fruits. They take about 2-3 years to start producing fruits.
![Pomegranate trees](https://www.gardenandhome.co.za/wp-content/uploads/2024/08/Pomegranate-trees.jpeg)
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Raspberry
Their fruit production will grow well enough in partial shade, quickly producing fruits within its first few years. You will need to do annual maintenance with them to keep them producing well enough. Prune your trees each winter while they are dormant so they are easier to access for harvesting.
![Unripe Raspberries growing on a tree](https://www.gardenandhome.co.za/wp-content/uploads/2024/08/Raspberry.jpeg)
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