Since the days of the “victory gardens” of World War II, many homeowners want a garden that provides not only beauty and shade, but also food. The edible patio is one of the hottest landscaping trends today. Vegetable gardens, herb gardens, fruit trees, berry bushes – these are all elements that a landscaping company can use to transform a garden into a place where children not only come to play, but to eat. Parents benefit, too: They can save on grocery bills by preparing dinner with ingredients grown in their garden.
Ideal places for edible plants
Most gardens contain a mix of sunny spots and shady spots. Few edible plants will grow in the shade, but sunny areas can be very useful. A landscaping company will provide ideas for planting a mix of edible and non-edible plants in aesthetically pleasing designs. They can also help homeowners understand and implement smart gardening tips like proper drainage and enriched soil.
varieties of herbs
Herbs are attractive additions to any garden. Basil comes in more than 40 different varieties. Sage is a hearty herb that can grow almost anywhere, and there are many colorful varieties, including Perovskia Rocketman (Russian sage). The fennel will grow tall and add movement as it sways in the breeze. Thyme also grows tall, and golden lemon thyme features beautiful golden leaves.
vegetables
Some vegetables also add great color. Artichoke plants feature purple flowers as big as baseballs. Cherry tomato plants can be trained to cascade over a trellis. Lettuce plants make a beautiful border and will thrive in the cold months.
fruit trees
Fruit trees add shade as well as fruit. Tall trees like Jonagold apples provide shade and beauty. Dwarf trees will be easier to maintain. They rarely grow more than 10′ tall but produce full size fruit. There are dwarf varieties of many apples known as Gala, Fuji and Granny Smith. In warmer areas like California, citrus trees will thrive year-round. They are also well suited to smaller areas.
Plants That Attract Helpers
For an even more beautiful garden, consider plants that may not be edible to humans but will attract butterflies and hummingbirds. Asters, marigolds and black-eyed suzannas attract butterflies. Dogwoods and private hedges also attract them. Delphiniums, foxgloves, and flowering tobacco plants attract hummingbirds. Any flowering plant will also attract bees, an important part of the ecosystem.
vining plants
Don’t forget the vines. Grape vines are becoming more popular everywhere, probably because most climates and soils will produce grapes. The vines require some pruning but do not need a lot of fertilizer. Grapes aren’t the only thing grown on the vines: consider passion fruit, kiwi, or green beans.
Plants, trees and shrubs chosen by a professional landscaping company can transform a garden. Don’t settle for just the ornamental. Arm yourself and let your garden feed you!