A dynamic landscape will typically consist of an array of various themes, each with their own unique characteristics and points of interest.  For some folks, the mission is to find those plants that will highlight their landscape with a menagerie of color.  For others, year round greenery and selection of low maintenance plant material is the goal.

Think of designing your landscape similar to the way you decorate the interior of your home.  Visualize each area of your property as a “different room!”  In many landscape situations, this is easy to accomplish as most have various micro-environments within their property.  For example, you may have full sun in the front and south side, your back yard may be partially sunny with dappled sun in the afternoon, with the north side receiving very little sunlight throughout the day.  Each one of these unique environments is your opportunity to create a different look while utilizing plant varieties and hardscapes that will best adapt to that particular section of your property.

For something unusual that is sure to make your garden the talk of the neighborhood, why not transform a section of your landscape into a beautiful, practical, and tasty edible garden.  This would involve combining various herbs for their color, fragrance, and versatility with edible flowers and fruiting trees.  Remember that—as is the case with all plants—edible plants will also require ideal growing conditions to perform at their peak.  Some of the factors to consider would be light, wind, drainage, soil pH and texture. 

Consider also, any regular maintenance requirements that these plants may need such as fertilizer, water or the need for pest control products.  For best results, amend your existing soils with good organic composted manures, compost, or humus prior to planting.

The secret to establishing a stellar edible garden is to utilize the dominant characteristic of each plant that you install.  For example, you may want to combine a plant with brilliant color with a plant that has interesting texture, and a third with unusual foliage color.  These three plants should also have different growth habits.  One might grow more horizontal, while another grows more vertical, and the third spherical.  Arrange your plants in a tiered fashion to get the most bang out of each one.  Pay close attention to how foliage and flowers come together.  Keep in mind that various hues and shades of the same color will tend to be more soothing, while many contrasting, bright colors planted together will exude a feeling of excitement.  Remember also that the feeling you would like your edible garden to convey will be determined by the colors you choose to use.  If you are trying to create a cool, calming effect during the hot summer months, use colors in the blue, lavender, green, or turquoise family.  These colors may also make a landscape area appear larger.  Warm colors such as reds, oranges, golds, or yellows are great to use in winter, spring, and fall.  They are dramatic, and the vivid colors tend to draw you into the landscape.

Edible Plant Selections

Herbs can make great alternative ground covers to the more common ivy, vincas, and pachysandra.  For shady areas, sweet woodruff, evening primrose, lemon balm or pennyroyal make a fragrant ground cover.  To add color and soften up some stone or slate walkways, try planting creeping thyme.  The fragrance of the thyme will add a pleasant aroma to your walkway area when stepped on.  To add color, texture, and fragrance in areas where a cascading plant can be used, try rosemary.  Other edible flowers such as salvias, marigolds, sage, sunflowers, dill, elderberry, fennel, violets, squash, oregano, and scented geraniums are all edible plants that will add color and interest to any garden.  For landscape borders try garlic cloves, foxgloves, or yarrow.

For a tropical feel, larger plants with edible fruit and a tropical look, try the loquat tree.  The foliage appears tropical, the small but aromatic flowers are refreshing when in bloom, and the fruit, if allowed to mature before the birds discover it, is sweet and nutritious.  For sunny areas, plant some citrus in containers to display around the garden areas from late spring through fall.  They can easily be brought indoors during winter for year round enjoyment.  Certain varieties of lemon, lime, and oranges and will perform well in our area.  The white flowers of citrus plants are attractive, and the color of the fruit will brighten up even the most boring area.  Plant them in attractive, colorful pots for year round pleasure.

Some herbs will not withstand our winters, and you may want to plant some of the more winter hardy herbs such as pineapple sage, goldenrod, tansy, tarragon, rosemary , and pansies ( yes, pansies are edible flowers with a winter green taste ) in the fall.

Blending some of these edible plants into your landscaping might be a delicious way to enhance the beauty and interest of your grounds.  You might even find that your edible garden makes for good conversation at the next cocktail party.

About the Author:
Mark. A. Tamn is an agronomist, North Carolina certified turf grass professional, author of the gardening book, "Old Tyme Gardening for New Age Concerns," former host of the radio gardening show, “In the Garden”, and president of Freedom Lawns USA and Freedom Franchises, Inc. located in Hampstead, North Carolina.