Edible Landscaping (Part 2)
Here are some plants that offer vibrant colorful flowers, beautiful foliage, and other aesthetic qualities that homeowners desire as they landscape.
Butternut squash yields heavy fruit for good eats, but it also offers large (up to 4 inches in length) bright yellow flowers that can be eaten raw, in a salad.
Purple cabbage showcases colorful leaves.
Strawberries have white flowers in the spring and red berries in the summer. Their low, leafy green leaves make the plant a great border plant as well as an effective ground cover. Asparagus and curly parsley complement it well.
Chives produce flowers in the same hue as lavender. Most herbs, such as oregano, sage, and thyme, make good border plants for paved walkways, around the patio, around trees, and much more.
Red chard or any variety of rainbow chard have stems of many colors, from white, yellow, orange, pink, red, to purple. These grow well next to spinach.
Gooseberries can work as a border plant or a foundation plant.
Globe artichokes have showy tops that add an interesting focal point to any garden.
Cherry tomatoes on the ground or in pots can accent a fence, trellis, or container.
Red leaf lettuce, with its purple and green leaves pair well with yellow or orange calendulas (another edible flower).
Any variety of peppers produce bright yellow, orange, and red fruits. And these grow well in pots, making them transportable to any part of the garden you wish them to highlight.
For more ideas of what to grow and how to design your edible landscape, consult Dave Jacke's book "Edible Forest Gardening" or visit here.
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