Gooseberries, blackcurrants, morello sour cherry, czar cooking plum. The last two I’ve heard can even grow against a north facing wall.
serviceberries do well in shade and there are some that stay small. very attractive bush as well.
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Dogwood cherries grow slow but do well in shade. I have a hedge in very low light. Low branching stays if you prune them. You need to prune yearly to promote maximum branching.
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6 footer… serviceberry.
I have one of those supposed to arrive today and another that is taller.
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I would recommend considering a persimmon tree that could be espaliered against your fence. Many already overproduce so having shade may make that challenge lesser.
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Have you tried ShadowCalculator - Show sun shadows on google maps
to map shadows during the growing season for the spot you have in mind?
I explained how to use it in this topic
How to search for information about fruit online (fix broken links, read scientific papers. + useful links)
For something new you might try a early ripening kiwiberry. (arguta)
If been reasonably happy with those in a shady spot.
It is also valuable to know in what period of the year there is shadow. Some spots are full sun in August, but full shade in November. Due to the sun being higher in the sky in August.
An earlier ripening apple would do great in such a spot. but a winter apple wont.
Generally more sun during fruit ripening is important for sweet fruits. Shade during ripening will lead to less sweet fruits.
For cooking fruits this can be less of a problem. Since you add sugar anyway. Thus cultivars that ripen earlier or are suited for the kitchen are good contenders.
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Thank you so much for the info! That’s good to know about Triple Crown, I’ll definitely look at the other options you mentioned! I would love to try espaliered fruit trees but the pre-shaped ones I’ve found locally are limited to apples and we were hoping for something that would fill in a little faster. My hubby is getting impatient for all out other trees and shrubs to mature! Just got them in last spring so we have some waiting to do.
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I’ll have to look into the cherry and plum options! Thank you!!
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I have triple crown between my garage and fence, similar space as you have. It is great. Triple crown turns black before it is fully ripe for me, got to let it sit a day or so after it turns black or it won’t taste great.
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Thanks! Do you have a favorite variety that might stay smaller? We already have a Saskatoon cultivar (Standing Ovation) elsewhere in the yard and are excited for it to mature. I think we might get a small harvest this year. I worried that our might be too bug for the space though, even with the narrow formation.
Thanks for the advice!!That tool looks really helpful, I’ll check it out! I’m also going to keep an eye on the sun over the next month or two while we decide and see how it changes as we move towards summer.
I did see artic/hardy kiwi as a choice and was considering it but was a little concerned about keeping the vining under control. Most of the trellis options I saw had it going across the top of an arbor, is it also possible to train horizonally across a lower trellis (about fence height) and will it trek to climb into the neighbors yard?
Luckily we like tart fruits, we always just eat currants fresh. A lot of what we planted is new to us so it will be an adventure.
yes you can trellis it horizontally. But it will likely vine all over the place.
Some of the (i think japanese) self pollinating varieties have the lowest vigor. So would be easier to keep in check. But it is a bit of a “monster” plant imo. Strawberry’s might also do okay. if had plants on the north side of my house do quite well. But i might be in an easier climate for strawberry’s than you are. A single bearing late ripening variety probably will do best for you.
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Are you referring to Arctic kiwi or Hardy kiwi? I know Hardy kiwi is a very vigorous grower but have heard Arctic kiwi is a slower grower. Either way a male and female are needed.
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I don’t know a lot about them, just saw them on a list of shade plants. I didn’t realize there was much difference but that’s good to know! I’ll do more research on arctic kiwi. Now leaning towards doing a mix of shrubs now. Maybe a regent serviceberry, erect blackberry (favorite thornless varieties?), and red or black currant. We’ll have to keep things well pruned but I think it will be fun to have a fruit wall.
Arctic can be more ornamental, prefers more shade, produces less (Hardy can make 150 lb /vine) and isn’t on my state invasive list. I’m excited to see ours grow.
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Fun fact as I go down a rabbit hole of shrubs, my native “golden” currant is a black currant! Ribes aureum. I don’t know how I missed that in my initial research! So maybe we’ll just add red currant along the walkway along with a mix of other shrubs.
Focus in our backyard was mostly Colorado native plants so we got some mysteries to try out. Whatever fruit we don’t like, I’m sure the birds will like and will host some cool arthopods. We tend to like sour/tart fruits anyway.
Currently planted list:
Standing Ovation Serviceberry
Golden Currant x 2 (separate sources)
Jahns Prairie Gooseberry
Western Sandcherry
American Plum
Keiko Honeyberry/Haskap
Willa Honeyberry/Haskap
Adams Elderberry
Johns Elderberry
Rocky Mountain Sumac
Gro-Low Fragrant Sumac (I think, from builder)
Barberry (unknown variety, from builder)
Hawthorn (unknown variety, from builder)
Alexandria Alpine Strawberry
Eversweet Strawberry
Fort Laramie Strawberry
Canada Red Rhubarb
On order:
Semi-Dwarf Empire Apple
Golden Treat Fruit Snacks Apple
Stark Ultra Spire Apple
I’m not certain but I think red/golden/white currants need more sun than blackcurrants (more sugars).
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There are a few different (wild) species of “mini kiwi” or “kiwi berry”
for example
Actinidia arguta
Actinidia melanandra
Actinidia polygama
Actinidia kolomikta
and hybrids (or suspected hybrids)
Kens Red
Actinidia arguta var. cordifolia x Actinidia melanandra
Issai
Actinidia arguta x Actinidia polygama
Issai and kokuwa i think are both from japan and can produce both male and female flower parts. And thus can self pollinate but also pollinate others.
Vitikiwi (polish variety) i think can also selfpollinate.
Actinidia kolomikta ‘Dr Szymanowski’ is an arctic kiwiberry that supposidly also should be able to self pollinate. But i don’t have any experiance with that one.
Generaly even the varieties that can self give better harvest when pollinated by a “pure” male plant. So if you have the space get a male plant. But depending on the variety it’s not always needed to have a male plant.
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What quantity of blackberry harvest can you use?
The more vigorous varieties like Triple Crown would be too large for your space unless severely pruned for minimal harvest. Consider the fruit might stain the fence due to ripe frut + wind, and bird activity. Flavor of Triple Crown, as variously described on this forum, varies wildly by location, growing conditions, and soil type. Mine, for example, do not have large, bitter seeds and they are very flavorful.
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