An edible landscape is a landscape design that consists of something you can eat- fruit, vegetables, and herbs and spices. As easy as it sounds to make an edible landscape, it can be challenging, as you have to choose the right plants for the garden (plants that won’t be eaten by friendly deer!).

Here are a few of the best and most popular plants that you should add into your edible landscape.

Blueberries

fIf you have some extra room for a bush or two, make the bush a blueberry bush! Before they turn into berries, these bushes grow dainty bell-shaped flowers. After berry season, the leaves and branches transform into pretty fall colors, before changing once again to have twisting and turning branches and unique bark for the winter season.

Raspberries and Blackberries (Brambles)

Known as bramble and incredibly easy to make a hedge out of, blackberry and raspberry bushes are easy to grow and provide an abundance of tasty fruit. Raspberries come in a variety of colors including purple, black, red, and gold, while both berries are available in thornless varieties that make harvesting easy.

 Garlic and Chives

Although these plants can be stinky, they flower beautifully. Both chives and garlic grow bright purple flowers that attract helpful bees and add a pop of color to an otherwise green herb garden.

Vegetables

Traditional green vegetables such as artichoke, kale, rainbow chard (this variety has yellow, gold, and red stalks), carrots, green peas, and beans are great for an edible landscape design. They can fill up space, provide food, and still look lovely.

Bell Peppers

Bell peppers are great if you want a dash of color in your garden or backyard. They come in bright yellow, orange, and red colors, as well as in deep greens. Mix the plants within the same space and create a rainbow!

Eggplants

Rich in purple hues, eggplants are easy on the eyes and the tastebuds. Starting as delicate purple flowers, the plant undergoes a transformation as the eggplant takes shape and a healthy purple vegetable takes its place.

Tomatoes

Tomatoes -in particular cherry tomatoes- are perfect for even the smallest of space. They can be grown in plastic containers or in large garden beds, and when they are ripe, they’re truly a sight to behold with their deep red coloration.

Pansies, Marigolds, and Calendulas

Flowers? That’s right- flowers! Pansies, marigolds, and calendulas are all edible. Pansies and marigolds are commonly used to garnish dishes, while calendulas are used in a variety of summer salads. Their petals are ripped apart and mixed into bowls of greens to provide a hint of color.

Fruit Trees

Location and weather depending, you should consider planting a few fruit trees in your yard. If you live in a warm climate, try planting an orange tree. If you’re in a milder climate, you could grow crab apples.

Saskatoons

Popular in milder climates with less sunshine, saskatoons are ideal for making jams and fruit pies. They grow a dark blue-black berry and matte green leaves. They are good for taking up space or using as a border, as they grow on large, unruly bushes.