Edible Landscapes, More than just a vegetable patch

Edible Landscapes, integrating food plants with ornamental plants, is more than a trend, it is a holistic and economical way to supplement our food supply and beautify our gardens.

Imagine your ornamental garden supplemented with perennials and annual edibles. Herbs, vegetables, and fruiting trees can be incorporated and their flowers, foliage and fruits will create diversity, color and pattern in the garden.

Edible landscaping can marry beauty and fresh gourmet produce within a well designed landscape by following these simple rules:

1. Group the same type of edible plants together

2. Concentrate on geometric patterns or Ying-Yang shapes

3. Descend plant heights; tallest against a background, shortest in the front

4. Create a focal point

5. Place edibles in full sun (there will be a few exceptions)

6. Plant edibles in rich soil

7. Create balance

Create a geometric pattern by planting a border or a square of red leaf lettuce surrounded by yellow and orange nasturtiums, or pink blossomed chives. A row of kale creates a colorful border. Red stalks of rhubarb or red peppers, create beautiful focal points.

Balance plant types between planters; always think in odd numbers which is more pleasing to the eye. In small to medium size gardens, we typically repeat plants in ‘threes’.

All fruit bearing trees and many herbs are perennials which will return year after year. Fruit bearing trees can espaliered and serve as a fantastic backdrop against a wall. The flowers which emerge in spring, followed by the colorful fruit will become a focal point in the garden.

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An unknown benefit of edible landscapes is it discourages pests from populating the beds; some edibles repel or lure away pests. Herbs and flowers attract beneficial insects and birds that prey on the pests. To keep the good insects coming, grow a variety of plants with different bloom times, but remember to group edibles and avoid a ‘spotty’ effect.

Start small, one plant can produce a lot of food, and expand as you become comfortable with the bounty. The healthiest food is found closest to the source and what better location than intermixed in your ornamental plant beds. Discover the benefits of beauty and health picked straight out of your edible garden.

Terry Sims is a Landscape Designer and Horticulturist. Her company, The Garden Artist, is located in Boise. For more information visit thegardenartistidaho.com.