I have a bed that I plan on making into an edible landscape bed. I want to mix herbs, vegetables, annuals, and perennials into it. What would you suggest would be good plants to add.
So far I have:
Peppers different kinds of them
Rosemary
Parsley
Lemon Grass
Roses (maybe)
Pansy (for winter garden)
Bush tomato (only gets about 2 feet tall)
Edible Landscape
purslane is edible.
basil, basil, all kinds of basil
Basil, yes! Basil is my favorite perfume.:)
Curly Kale, not the ornamental kind, Kale is extremely nutritious, more than spinach, it is a hardy biennial and the freezes don't hurt it. You can pick the lower leaves and it will continue to give you wonderful greens,for almost two years, plus it looks attractive.
Josephine.
Josephine, Have you managed to grow Kale here in Texas? I thought we got too hot for it.
If you are looking for a longer lived plant to anchor the bed, miniature peach or nectarine trees usually don't get over 4' tall. If your soil is acidic, try blueberries
Artichoke plants are very decorative and you might be able to harvest some artichokes or let the flower open — very dramatic.
For fall planting, try broccoli. The plant is looks nice and store bought broccoli doesn't compare to the sweetness of homegrown.
Not everyone like okra, but Little Lucy is a dwarf red okra:
http://www.parkseed.com/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/StoreCatalogDisplay?storeId=10101&catalogId=10101&langId=-1&mainPage=prod2working&ItemId=5197&PrevMainPage=advsearchresults&scChannel=Vegetables%20AS&SearchText=p16.v231;s1.Okra&OfferCode=T1H
This is a bush runner bean. The plants produces hummingbird attracting flowers and beans to boot.
http://www.parkseed.com/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/StoreCatalogDisplay?storeId=10101&catalogId=10101&langId=-1&mainPage=prod2working&ItemId=5511&PrevMainPage=advsearchresults&scChannel=Vegetables%20AS&SearchText=p16.v231;p13.Phaseolus&OfferCode=T1H
Bush tomatoes don't need much if any staking, are usually determinate so as soon as the tomatoes ripen, you can yank the plant out and plant something else in it's place.
Nada, I grow it all the time and it looks great, you should try it.
Thanks for that link to runner beans. Very pretty.
I have an"edible" bed in part shade (70% shade). Saffron has done OK. Sweet violets have done well, Cilantro and Wild woodland strawberry have really taken off (I'm glad they are in a contained bed). I have mint in a trough underneath a window that does well in shade (do not plant in the ground-will go everywhere)
I had an herb bed in almost full sun last year
Basil looks and smells great. Easy to grow. Planted seeds from the Walmart 79c packets.
Oregeno, thyme, fennell, and sage were also very easy. Planted from the same packets.
Chives would be a good choice also.
Oh WOW. These are some awesome suggestions. I'm really getting excited about this bed now. I'll still have more room so how about some edible flowers for our hot summers days to go with a lot of the above suggestions.? Remember this bed is in full sun.
Here are two link that have a lot of information. There are a few books that specialize in edible flowers.
http://bexar-tx.tamu.edu/HomeHort/F1Column/2004Articles/JULY4.htm
http://www.aehf.com/articles/GarrettEdible.htm
This last one is not a link. It's a PowerPoint presentation available only through your local Extension Office agent. It is mentioned on several other websites.
Edible Flowers for the Home Landscape
Vince Mannino, Jefferson County, edited by Carol Brouwer.
I love kale but the kind in the stores just doesn't taste the same as I remember when I was a kid up north and we picked it and mom fixed it.
Very nice links Bettydee, good to see you posting.
Josephine.
Two roses that will go wonderfully with your herbs. They are small and stay bushy extremely low maint, can take full, brutal, TX sun.
Sweet Chariot
Hwy 290 Pink Buttons
simply must have those
you can do prostrate rosemary as a groundcover. When you step on it releases that distinct fragrance and yet doen't ruin the plant.
dill is nice and superb butterfly attractant but IMO opinion it looks ugly after a while.
Two roses that will go wonderfully with your herbs. They are small and stay bushy extremely low maint, can take full, brutal, TX sun.
Sweet Chariot
Hwy 290 Pink Buttons
simply must have those
you can do prostrate rosemary as a groundcover. When you step on it releases that distinct fragrance and yet doen't ruin the plant.
Sages, like burgundy and/or var. green/white would be wonderful. The one time I try to cook w/ fancies I thought they were bitter, so I plant for ornamental purposes only. You can also use regular green sage and that's good for cooking.
Nasturtiums are edible also. Figs are nice! For teas, the mints are really nice. Spearamint, Chocolate mint, etc. Spinach, Pokeweed (if you like that), lettuce, Lamb's Quarter. I have a Remote Pinyon that should give me nuts someday. Persimmons are good, even the Texas Persimmon. Cilantro is one of my favorites.
This message was edited Mar 1, 2007 3:50 PM
What is a Remote Pinyon?
Please add thyme, and chives,
also oregano!
Violets are edible as well.
links
http://attra.ncat.org/attra-pub/edibleflowers.html
http://whatscookingamerica.net/EdibleFlowers/EdibleFlowersMain.htm
http://www.mountainvalleygrowers.com/edibleflowerherbgarden.htm
I have made violet liqueur.....
Mary Lee, that's a native pinyon which is recommended for southcentral Texas. I got mine at Schumacher's some time ago, but don't think they have them now. Since that time I've seen them at a nursery in Medina. I think it might have been called Medina Nursery, but I'm not sure.
http://aggie-horticulture.tamu.edu/ornamentals/natives/pinusremota.htm
My edible bed is coming along really nice. So far I have:
Peppers different kinds of them including a chocolate bell pepper
Rosemary
Parsley
Fennel
Lemon Grass
Bush tomato (only gets about 2 feet tall)
Little Lucy dwarf red okra
Corn Mini Yellow Mirai 003
Society garlic
Scarlet runner bean
Daylily
Var. Fish Pepper
Purple green beans
Pineapple
var mint
I now have a problem. First off I planted some yellow marigolds that you can find at any box store around. They are the ones with all the petals. They didn't have a botanical name so I don't really know if they are the edibles marigolds. They look like the African marigold. Does anyone know if they are edible?
Next question. I want to add some dianthus to this bed. They have a lot of hybrids out there and I don't know if all of them are edible. Any ideas?
Next question. Begonia x tuberhybrida --Tuberous begonia are suppose to be edible. Do you know of a good one for full sun that will work?
Next question: Are all hibiscus edible?
I really thought this was going to be easy but it turned out harder than I thought. I need some annual or perennial flowers in this bed. I have enough veggies and herbs so don't want anymore of them. Any suggestions?
Thanks again for all of your help.
Turk's Cap, Malvaviscus drummondii, has edible flowers and fruit, is beautiful can take sun or shade, and it attracts hummers. I think it is a must have.
Josephine.
There is a new pepper out that is called Black Pearl and it's gorgeous. I've planted it just for ornamental purposes. It has almost black leaves and the peppers are shaped like large pearls. They start out green, ripen to almost black and then go to red as they dry out. It's a beautiful plant.
OK I didn't want anymore peppers but after seeing the Black Pearl I HAVE to have it. Where do you get it at Crowellli?
I love Turks cap as much as the hummers and have it growing in several of my beds. I planted one just outside my kitchen window. Now while doing dishes and cleaning the kitchen I have the pleasure of watching the butterflies and hummers as they feed on this plant. I agree Frostweed everyone needs at least one Turks cap.
I found it last year at Cornelius. I saw a couple the other day at Lowe's on Westheimer near Royal Oaks. It's a really beautiful plant.
Citrus and pomegranates are good -- and I heartily agree with Linda about nasturtiums. Easy to grow, beautiful, and add a wonderful peppery taste to salads. I have some growing in (and out the opening AND the top of) a small chimenea.
I still need help with the questions below if possible. I am trying to teach children and others what is edible. I don't want to keep something like my marigolds or dianthus in the bed if it is not edible. I really need help with the below questions.
I now have a problem. First off I planted some yellow marigolds that you can find at any box store around. They are the ones with all the petals. They didn't have a botanical name so I don't really know if they are the edibles marigolds. They look like the African marigold. Does anyone know if they are edible?
Next question. I want to add some dianthus to this bed. They have a lot of hybrids out there and I don't know if all of them are edible. Any ideas?
Next question. Begonia x tuberhybrida --Tuberous begonia are suppose to be edible. Do you know of a good one for full sun that will work?
Next question: Are all hibiscus edible?
I really thought this was going to be easy but it turned out harder than I thought. I need some annual or perennial flowers in this bed. I have enough veggies and herbs so don't want anymore of them. Any suggestions?
Thanks again for all of your help.
Sorry I don't know the answers to your questions, but I'm wondering if there is a special forum for this. My guess is to ask this in the Herb forum or the organic gardening forum. Either of those should have people there to help you.
This message was edited May 2, 2007 1:15 PM
Is pineapple sage edible? It sure smells good.
sunnytx, I think people are a little leary of giving you specific answers. I know I am. I'll eat any mint in my garden, but would I advise you to give any and all mints to kids? No, and partly because you don't know who is allergic to what. By and large, would I eat a marigold? Yes. Would I be able to say a marigold you got at W/M or wherever is totally safe, meaning truly organic? No. I don't know what went into the hybridization or pest control or fertilization. I would probably go ahead and eat it myself, but I wouldn't hand it to anyone else.
I would suggest you find your county extension agent and get a few leads on some local botanists or folklorists or maybe professors (who aren't involved in research funded by Monsanto) who can help you with local plants. Have you read "Weed 'Em and Reap"? Excellent book, excellent philosophy.
I don't mean to alarm you into not doing the really great thing you're doing!!! Please continue! But find someone you trust to do it with you.
Plowdaddy, I just planted some and I plan to eat it. If I grow a third ear, I'll let you know! ;p
Good advice, brigidlily!
BTW - I love my pineapple sage but I've never eaten it. Yes, please let us know about the 3rd ear.
I have not even thought of an allergic reaction from different individuals. But then when we offer tomatoes from our gardens we as a whole don't think of the person subcoming to an allergic reaction. It is the same as when someone gave me a brug from their garden. Boy did I break out. (crazy me now collects them because I love them so much) I really am trying to put this garden together to educate people on the whole. A sigh can be made to inform people that some may have an allergic reaction to some of the herbs and plants in this garden.
This is being put in at a demonstration garden. I have asked several Master Gardeners and I keep being referred back to herbs. There are already some herb beds in the garden. I really wanted to do something entirely different but I can't seem to get the help I need to all question. I didn't even think of contacting botanists or folklorists. I know some so I will call or email them to find out what they have to say. County agent and I are good friends so I will bug him about it and then hit Barnes and Noble.
Thanks for all the WONDERFUL suggestion. This is the greatest group EVER!
Sunnytex, I found this list of Texas plants and it shows the ones that are edible, maybe it will help, http://www.angelfire.com/tx6/trickcoyote/tpwv.html It also shows the ones that are poisonous,
Josephine.
frostweed, that's a great resource! Thanks!
Hey all! I just wanted to let you know that I just bought that ornamental pepper 'Black Pearl' that Crowelli was talking about at HD. It was 4.97 or something like that! I got so excited when I saw it and realized what it was...people probably thought I was crazy! :) You may have to look for it a little. I am naturally attracted to ANYTHING purple. I was looking for something for my mother-in-law, looked down, thought - hmmm, what is this?....and boom! They have them in crates still just sitting under some of the tables. I hope a lot of people don't miss out on them because they are too visible...
Ok I hope this isn't too jumbled up. Trying to answer the questions that I can. Turks cap is edible. So are hibiscus, and thier cousins, cotten and okra, all grow very well here, with minimal care. The kids I have taught about gardening love to eat the edible flowers. Because it's fun...violas, pansies,nastertiums, roses, hibiscuses,altheas, cotten, mallows...even the green sweet "cotten candy" (the green cotten pods before it opens, edible and great source of fiber). Peppers, tomatoes, tomatillos, corn, popcorn, parsley, basil, cilantro, pineapples, swiss chard,radishes, carrots, beans, sweetpeas, lettuces...are some of the things we grow in the student gardens. Satsuma oranges, Figs, Pomegranites trees look beautiful, so do papaya trees (grow pretty quickly also). I work with urban harvest, we teach classes for kids after school. Also we set up community gardens www.urbanharvest.com (its a non profit). They might be able to help you find more edibles also. I have had no issues growing kale in Houston. Peanuts,Blueberries, blackberries (watch out for thorns with kiddos), strawberries (use hanging baskets so the ants don't get em)... Ok I'll stop now, because I could go on allnight. If you want more info about gardening with kids feel free to dmail me.
Also ground cherries (same thing as golden berry or cape gooseberry) -- I'd mislabeled some seedlings and have some gorgeous plants already setting fruit where the echinacea was supposed to be. (DUH -- I THOUGHT that didn't look much like an echinacea...)
Edited to say be careful with these, as only the ripe fruit is completely non-toxic. It's a nightshade. Remember, so is a tomato.
This message was edited May 21, 2007 11:31 AM
ManicReality: Wow nice list. Are you saying "ALL" Hibiscus are edible? I forgot all about Turks Cap. I have read somewhere that they are edible. Thank you for jogging my mind. I also forgot about cape gooseberry. Thanks brigidlily. I still have two or three feet left in this bed to fill in. Some of these plants will do nicely in this bed. I'll post a picture once this bed fills out. What makes it so nice is the plants are interchangeable, When winter season arrives I will be ripping up some plants and put others in.
Thanks to everyone. You have been terrific.
95% of the time, if you ask a question around here (especially "suggestion" questions) you'll get PLENTY of feedback! DG people are not reticent.
It's kind of funny about the cape gooseberry -- I'd started hearing about this exotic Peruvian plant that is supposed to be all kinds of wonderful -- the Goldenberry. It's been in the US, growing wild, forever! What they won't do to market something. Then again, it has drawn attention to a very worthy plant. I wouldn't have known about it otherwise.
If you can find some, try Chocolate Mint. Wow, what a fragrance, and a leaf of it is LOVELY in hot tea or coffee (or as a garnish in a cup of ice cream).
I grow all different kinds of mint in my edible garden, which does include roses, but Chocolate is my favorite. Orange Mint next favorite. :-)
-=Susannah, Dallas