Strategies for Combining Edible and Decorative Greenery
Rock your garden with some serious plant-hip! Growing edible and ornamental plants in harmony isn't just for the boxed cottage gardens; it's the next level of exciting blends. Here's how to make your green space double duty delectable and delightful.
In the spirit of quarter-acre marvels, slip your veggies into flowery borders – that’s right, you can joyously harvest your veggies amidst your cherished blossoms. Don't hold back on exploring the creative ideas behind kitchen gardens like the famed Villandry, which offer a mix of fresh produce and pretty landscapes.
Take pest control up a notch with companion planting — think greenery with a superpower! Plant strong-scented plants beside your edibles to naturally deter pests or entice them away from valuable crops.
Get ready to get inspired by these 10 awesome companion plants to grow!
Many of your game-day players come in architectural foliage, perfect for playing some fun floral schemes. Glaucous kale and the dazzling Swiss chard fit perfectly in ornamental planting arrangements.
Here are some other ways to amalgamate your edible and ornamental plants for United Nations of Green vibes:
Underplanting – The Effortless Integration
On a larger scale, underplant your fruit trees with goodies like spring bulbs, lavender, or native wildflowers. Complement your smaller-scale pots with herbs, lettuce, and mizuna to fill emptied spaces.
Pots and Containers – Two Worlds in One
Make the most of edible crops and decorative plants in pots for a Mediterranean feel. Experiment with thyme, rosemary, sage, lavender, santolina, and salvias! You can even try annuals such as the pot pictured with Irish poet, colorful chard, and fiery chilli peppers.
Window Boxes – Small Space Saviors
Don't let lack of a garden hold you back! Edibles to grow in windows boxes include tomatoes, lettuce, herbs, and strawberries. Nasturtiums can be used as a companion plant, drawing pesky aphids away from your precious crops while attracting beneficial hoverflies.
Borders and Veg Plots – Gardeners' Utopia
Embrace your dahlias and plant your fruits and vegetables among them for a colorful, architectural arrangement that yields fresh crops. On the veg plot or allotment, surround your edibles with flowers like wildflowers, fennel, calendula, and borage.
Raised Beds – Elevated Productivity
Creating your own raised beds can turn them from regimented squares to visually stunning and productive beds. Fill them with flowers like bedding plants to dazzle passersby while ensuring they'll thrive in the rich soil that many vegetables require.
Play with your plant choices based on the conditions they prefer. Pick plants that enjoy mutual growing conditions, such as Mediterranean plants like lavender and thyme growing in a hot, sunny spot with well-drained soil. On the contrary, herbs like basil prefer warm, tropical conditions with rich, moist soil.
Experience the seamless fusion of edibles and ornamentals by incorporating raised beds into your garden design. Transform these elevated spaces into vibrant throws of color and productivity, as flowering bedding plants harmonize with thriving vegetables, creating a visually striking and productive garden setup.
To make the most of limited spaces, adopt the practice of window box gardening and introduce edibles like tomatoes, lettuce, and herbs alongside their floral counterparts, such as nasturtiums, which not only beautify the scene but also serve as companion plants, naturally deterring pests while attracting beneficial insects.
