Shrub Layer — FarmPal
Berry-producing shrubs and small woody plants that fill the gap between trees and groundcover.
Height
3-10 feet
Functions
- •High-value berry production
- •Wildlife habitat and food
- •Nitrogen fixation (many shrub options)
- •Wind break and microclimate creation
- •Pollinator support
Design Tips
- •Include nitrogen-fixing shrubs (goumi, autumn olive, siberian pea shrub)
- •Group by water and light needs
- •Allow access paths for harvesting
- •Mix early and late fruiting varieties
- •Consider thornless varieties for ease of harvest
Example Plants
Blueberry (Vaccinium spp.)
Berries, Fall color, Bird food
Spacing: 4-6 feet | Zones: 3-10 (variety dependent)
Currant & Gooseberry (Ribes spp.)
Fresh berries, Jams, Wine
Spacing: 4-5 feet | Zones: 3-8
Elderberry (Sambucus nigra)
Berries (cooked), Flowers, Medicinal, Dye
Spacing: 6-10 feet | Zones: 3-9
Hazelnut/Filbert (Corylus spp.)
Nuts, Coppice wood, Living fence
Spacing: 10-15 feet | Zones: 4-9
Aronia (Chokeberry) (Aronia melanocarpa)
Superfruit berries, Wildlife, Ornamental
Spacing: 4-6 feet | Zones: 3-8
Goumi (Elaeagnus multiflora)
Berries, Nitrogen fixation, Wildlife
Spacing: 6-10 feet | Zones: 4-9