Great Plants for an Edible Landscape

Consider these plants for an edible landscape and create an edible paradise that is uniquely yours. Get ideas for trees, shrubs, and flowers.

Edible landscaping has become quite popular, and there is a wide variety of info becoming available on this subject. There are many different types of plants that a person can use in their edible landscaping.

Part of the decision depends on where you live, how large of a space you have, and of course personal preference. What are some great plants for your edible landscape, and how can you decide which to choose?

Trees in Your Edible Landscape

As long as you have enough room, trees are a fabulous addition to your edible landscape. There are many varieties that may suit your geographic area well. Apple trees are one of the most popular varieties, with many different kinds that you may enjoy. Apples are one of the most well-known fruits, and there is no shortage of recipes and ideas for your harvest. Consider crabapples, which are terrific for cooking and need less maintenance that full-size fruit trees.

Even pine trees have medicinal properties that you can use for family health.  There are health benefits of being outside in a pine forest environment for 2 hours once a week or even once a month. The effect of that single visit to a forest lasted seven days to an entire month.

Some other trees that you may want in your landscape are pear and peach trees. Smaller trees start bearing fruit sooner than taller trees. Dwarf varieties begin to bear fruit three to five years after a one-year-old whip is planted. Semi-dwarf trees bear a full harvest five to seven years after a whip is planted.

Cherries are always a winner as well, with bright red, tasty fruit. If you are looking for something with a more savory harvest and your climate will allow it, olive trees yield a delicious addition to your kitchen ingredients.

With a little adjustment, fruit trees can be grown in containers. Fruit trees will thrive in pots as long as they are grown on a dwarfing rootstock — any specialist supplier can help you select the right one for your balcony if you are unsure

Flowers in Your Edible Landscape

Flowers are a mainstay of any edible landscape. Beautiful to look at, they also act as a host for pollinators for your fruit-bearing plants. Just like herbs, many flowers are edible, although we don’t often think of them that way.

Popular edible flowers include are pansies, lilacs, daisies, and calendula. Sunflowers yield delicious seeds for an easy snack.

There are many uses for edible flowers such as cake and other food decorating, as well as subtle flavoring. You can even freeze tiny flowers with water in ice cube trays for a special touch in your water jug.

Herbs in Your Edible Landscape

Herbs are as popular as ever when it comes to gardening, and they belong in almost every edible landscape. Mint is extremely versatile and grows easily, making it a perfect spread for anywhere that you need an easy and quick covering. If you don’t want it to spread, grow it in large containers.

Chives are delicious cut onto baked potatoes and into almost any other savory side dishes, and their beautiful flowers add to the aesthetic appeal of your garden. Basil and thyme are delightful additions to your landscape which you will enjoy using in much of your cooking, and both are fairly easy to grow.

Consider growing an herbal tea garden so you will have herbs available all year long.

Shrubs in Your Edible Landscape

Shrubs are a nice addition to your edible landscape, since they are often of medium height and can bridge the gap between trees and shorter plants such as flowers. They can also act as wildlife deterrents and windbreaks.

Selecting the right shrub for the usage is key. First, be sure that it is something you will actually eat and have a basic plan for how you will use the fruit. Don’t let the harvest go to waste because you didn’t have a plan.

Perhaps you need shrubs as foundation plantings around the house, as a screen to block a utility box, or a barrier to the neighbor’s yard?  Consider edibles when you are filling these spots.

Finally, choose the right plant for the site. Does your available growing space get full sun, is it exposed to cold winter winds, or does it have poor soil? Knowing the site details will increase your chance for success.

Some bushes you may be interested in obtaining for your landscape are:

• Raspberries
• Blueberries
• Blackberries
• Fig
• Pomegranate
• Currants and gooseberries
• Rosemary
• Rugosa Rose

Vegetables in Your Edible Landscape

In addition to the traditional vegetable garden plot, there is room to grow annual edibles right alongside your regular landscape. There are so many kinds to choose from, and they are what many people think of when edible landscaping comes to mind. Tomatoes (strictly speaking a fruit) give you a nice, bright burst of color in any garden.

Carrots and radishes are always exciting to dig for when they have grown to full maturity. Beautiful, leafy vegetables such as lettuce and Swiss chard cover the ground with green in many beautiful textures and shades. Don’t be afraid to intermix these beautiful. edible plants with your non-edible plantings. The pot of color will be welcome in many areas of your yard.

These are just a few ways you can grow edible plants in your edible landscape. Pick any plants you desire, depending on what looks beautiful, smells delicious, and tastes divine. Make your landscape uniquely yours by choosing your favorite plants and creating your own edible paradise.

Shared with: Simple Homestead Hop