Have you ever wonder if you can have a vegetable garden and decorative landscaping at the same time? Yes, you can! Follow the tips below on how to blend edible landscaping with ornamentals.
How To Blend Edible Landscaping With Ornamentals [Infographic]
Edible landscaping combined with organic gardening practices, enhances any yard, garden or landscape. It may seem overwhelming and unrealistic to non-gardening expert, however, it's not. Learn to combine fruit-bearing shrubs, herbs, vegetables and flowers and put edible landscaping into practice.
A special shout out to Fix.com for this amazing infographic.
How To Blend Edible Landscaping With Ornamentals
Designing a Landscape
Element : LINE
- How it's used
To design the edges where garden beds meet paths and structures. - What does it do?
Moves the eye and people through a landscape.
Curved Lines
- Make a space feel informal, natural, and relaxed
- Move the eye at a slow pace
- Add mystery to a space by creating hidden areas
Straight Lines
![Straight Lines | How To Blend Edible Landscaping With Ornamentals [Infographic] Straight Lines | How To Blend Edible Landscaping With Ornamentals [Infographic]](https://homesteading.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/06/Straight-Lines.jpg)
- Create a formal feeling
- Lead the eye directly to focal points
Vertical Lines
![Vertical Lines | How To Blend Edible Landscaping With Ornamentals [Infographic] Vertical Lines | How To Blend Edible Landscaping With Ornamentals [Infographic]](https://homesteading.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/06/Vertical-Lines-350x233.jpg)
- Move the eye upward
- Make a space feel longer
- Give a feeling of activity or movement
Horizontal Lines
- Move the eye along the ground plane
- Can make a space feel longer
- Create a feeling to rest
Element : FORM
- How it's used
To determine the shape of plants, patios, and decorative ornaments - What does it do?
Determines the style of a garden; repeating the same form creates patterns to organize a landscape
Geometric Forms
- Can be squares, circles, or irregular polygons
- Create a formal look
Naturalistic Forms
- Free form shapes mimic what is found in nature
- Meandering lines, irregular edges, and natural materials create a relaxed feeling
Grow More Food with Less Labor
Choose some of these popular edible perennials for less planting and more eating. You only need to plant them once, and they'll renew themselves for at least two more growing seasons.
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- Artichokes
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- Asparagus
- Blueberry
- Chives
- Currants
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- Fennel
- Fruit and nut trees
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- Grapes
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- Hops
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- Kale
- Lavender
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- Leeks
- Onions, many varieties
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- Oregano
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- Raspberries
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- Rosemary
- Rhubarb
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- Sage
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- Strawberries
- Thyme
Choosing Edible Plants by Appearance
Height of Plant
Tall(taller than 3 feet)
*Plants with an asterisk usually need a fence, arbor, or support.
Choices
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- Artichokes
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- Banana
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- Beans*
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- Blackberries*
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- Blueberries
- Bush Cherries
- Bush Plums
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- Climbing Roses*
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- Corn
- Currants
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- Dill
- Elderberries
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- Fennel
- Fruit and nut trees, espaliered* or stand-alone
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- Gooseberries
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- Grapes*
- Hibiscus*
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- Hops*
- Nasturtiums*
- Okra
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- Peas
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- Raspberries*
- Rhubarb
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- Rosemary (depending on conditions)
- Roses
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- Sunflowers
- Tomatillo*
Mid-size
(10 inches to 3 feet)
*Plants with an asterisk usually need a support
Choice
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- Asparagus
- Broccoli
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- Celery
- Chard
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- Kale
- Lavender
- Onions
- Peppers*
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- Tomatoes
Short
(smaller than 10 inches)
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- Cabbage
- Many Culinary Herbs
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- Salad Vegetables
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- Squash
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- Strawberries
Texture of Plant
Coarse
- Features : Large leaves with irregular edges and contrasting colors
- What the plants do in the landscape : Attract and hold attention
- Choices : Artichokes, corn, kiwi, raspberries, rhubarb, zucchini
Medium
- Features : Medium-size leaves
- What the plants do in the landscape : Create a backdrop
- Choices : Beans, nasturtiums, most plants, peppers, sage
Fine
- Features : Tiny, needle-like leaves
- What the plants do in the landscape : Create contrast
- Choices : Carrots, chervil, dill, lavender, parsley, rosemary
Color
Shades of Red
Choices
- Apples
- Beets
- Cherries
- Peppers
- Red Lettuce
- Rhubarb
- Roses
- Ruby chard
- Strawberries
- Tomatoes
Orange
Choices
- Nasturtiums
- Persimmons
- Pumpkins
- Squash Flowers
Yellow
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Choices
- Golden Tomatoes
- Lemon Thyme
- Rainbow Chard
- Sunflowers
Green
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Choices
- Most Vegetables and Herbs
Blue
Choices
- Blueberries
- Borage
- Hyssop
Purple
Choices
- Chives
- Eggplant
- Lavender
- Purple Basil
- Purple Cabbage
- Rosemary
- Thyme
- Violets
A Sampling of Edible Flowers
Anise Hyssop
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Flavor : Sweet, licorice-like
Perennial
Bachelor's Button
Annual
Bee Balm
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Flavor : Varies
Perennial
Begonia
Flavor: Citrusy, bitter aftertaste
Annual
Borage
Flavor : Cucumber like
Annual
Calendula
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Flavor : Peppery, tangy, slightly bitter
Annual
Chamomile
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Flavor : Apple like
Perennial
Chervil
Flavor : Parsley like
Annual
Chives
Flavor : Onion-like
Perennial
Daisies
Flavor : Mildly bitter
Perennial
Elderberry
Flavor : Sweet
Perennial
Gladiolas
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Flavor : Mild
Perennial
Hibiscus
Flavor : Citrusy
Perennial
Hollyhock
|
Flavor : Slightly bitter
Varies
Honeysuckle
|
Flavor : Sweet
Perennial
Lavender
Flavor : Sweet
Perennial
Linden
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Flavor : Honey like
Perennial
Marigold
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Flavor : Spicy, bitter
Annual
Nasturtiums
Flavor : Spicy, peppery
Annual
Pansies
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Flavor : Slightly Sweet
Annual
Pineapple Sage
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Flavor : Sweet
Perennial
Roses
Flavor : Sweet
Perennial
Scarlet Runners
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Flavor : Mild
Annual
Summer Savory
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Flavor : Spicy, peppery
Annual
Sunflowers
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Flavor : Buds are artichoke-like, petals are bitter
Annual
Violets
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Flavor : Sweet
Perennial
Winter Savory
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Flavor : Spicy, peppery
Perennial
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LIKE this? You won’t regret checking the links below:
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