Edible landscaping is true, beautiful possibility

The Arbor Day Foundation — of which I am an enthusiastic member, has been stressing eatable (as opposed to edible) landscapes — a concept that I believe in totally. I once envisioned such a possibility for an all-edible ornamental garden — and seemed to pull it off pretty well on paper.

A whole landscape of eatable flowers and plants takes a lot of thought (and maybe a little cheating, too) but let’s take a look at the available considerations.

Berries come to my mind first for practicality as well as ornamental enhancement. In an article a year or so ago, I mentioned that those who do not want long rows of raspberries or but would welcome a few bushes for out-of-hand enjoyment or as a treat for the birds, can easily accomplish that wish with simply incorporating them into the ornamental landscape.

As single focal points or in groupings of three, or perhaps, in the case of larger shrubs, as hedging or border plants, berries are a perfect choice. Native wild berries are the most dependable, and available locally at several area nurseries along with domesticated possibilities, which together include strawberries, raspberries (red and black), blackberries (as bush or bramble), currants, serviceberries, elderberry, dewberries, thimbleberries, gooseberries, currants, blueberries and Oregon grape. All of these excel in different aspects of the garden/landscape area as creepers, small-to-large bushes and shrubs up to small trees.

Most of the choices are ideal as single plants in the sunny or dappled landscape, and smaller varieties such as Tophat blueberry –take to (large) pots beautifully. They’re great in rock garden settings as well, and the taller varieties can serve as background plantings wherever you choose.

There are also cultivars of many wild/natives, (such as pink-berried, purple-stemmed elderberry) for knockout drama in the landscape. Too, I would be remiss to leave out that uniquely beautiful wild shrub, Rocky Mountain Juniper. Though the berries it boasts are not the type you would pop into your mouth for pleasure, they were used by area Native Americans as seasoning for meat, salmon and other foods, and as a repellent for insects and rodents, the berries still used for Gin seasoning — and all of today’s cultivars are outstanding ornamentals in many landscapes.

But we’ve only touched the tip of the “iceberg” — other edibles beckon as well. Rhubarb makes a beautiful focal point — and culinary sage with its grainy-soft scented leaves and lovely purple pinnacled flowers is a given as well. Rainbow chard is gorgeous planted in clumps instead of rows, and interspersed with the feathery fronds of carrots make a lovely statement. Don’t forget a smattering of onions — especially the exotic Egyptian “walking onion” with its elegant twisted stems all bearing a tiny “bouquet” of baby onions ready for planting.

Both summer and winter squash are gorgeous twining through the open spaces — as are small pumpkins.

Other edible creepers include nasturtiums — both leaves and flowers crunchy and delicious in salads — which come in a host of beautiful colors from the usual yellow and/or orange to bright reds, rich maroons and even white. Dewberries, too, can trail over and throughout the garden, but catching one of the thorny vines on a bare ankle can be a real downer.

Edging possibilities abound: consider alpine strawberries — perhaps interspersed with clumps of parsley; pansies, Johnny Jump-ups, violas and violets (all edible — flower and leaf) are also beautiful featured as garden or path edging. And why not a mesclun mix of lettuces in red, bright, dark and lime green (which would also do nicely in a pot). Speaking of which, we earlier mentioned blueberries in a pot — but be sure to include other pots here and there holding some of your favorite herbs — chives, dill (clumps of which are also pretty throughout the garden) and Bronze or culinary fennel which are anti-social and must be separated from other plants.

Mint is a definite “yes” for this endeavor, and while peppermint is best for iced tea, other cultivars beckon: orange, lemon, chocolate (sensational!) and catmint, too — for both your tea and your kitty’s pleasure.

Are you beginning to get a picture here? Let yourself stretch some boundaries, too. After all, roses are edible and plunking a beauty in this garden would be apropos, especially if you plant your garlic around its roots for protection against all manner of bad things. Look in your mind’s eye at the background of lavish elderberry or serviceberry shrubs/trees — the various berry or fruit bushes interspersed with all your veggie garden favorites, the twining vines of berry, veggie or flower — a beautiful picture indeed!

Only one last thing is needed — a return to our first sentence — re the Arbor Day Foundation. They have been experimenting for several years on the world of benefits that can be provided from Hazelnuts. These shrubby small nut trees are now viable in our climate (Zone 4) and are available. Some facts: Hazelnuts are rich in dietary fiber, vitamin E, magnesium, potassium and Vitamin B. They are loaded with antioxidants benefiting the immune system and consuming just 1.5 ounces of hazelnuts a day may help reduce the risk of cardiovascular disease.

Classified as “woody agriculture” they help slow climate change by offsetting the buildup of carbon dioxide in the atmosphere. Too, the shells are a safe and efficient fuel. In short, they provide the “meat” of our edible ornamental fruit/veggie/ flower garden!

They are fast-growing, providing nuts within three years, and can be harvest annually for about 25 years, while providing beautiful greenery for shade and protection for birds and small animals. Check out the possibilities at arborday.org/hazelnutresearch.

Valle Novak writes the Country Chef and Weekend Gardener columns from the Daily Bee. She can be reached at bcdailybee@bonnercountydailybee.com.