Entertainment - Whatcom in Bloom

POSTED: Thursday, May. 28, 2009

Aesthetic edibles: A beautiful garden you can eat

Let's think outside the garden bed. So often, we relegate our "plants for food" to one portion of the yard, away from the "pretty" land-scape plants. But we don't need to have such a disconnect between the two.

There are many plants that can do double-duty in the landscape, enhancing the landscape and contributing to our diets.

The real trick to landscaping with edibles is that you have to be extra vigilant about pests. Many edible vegetables have little in the way of chemical deterrents and can disappear overnight due to deer, rabbits and slugs.

Here's a short list of showy edibles that can be intermingled with annuals and perennials in the landscape:

• Swiss chard. The foliage on this vegetable is unparalleled. The midveins are vibrant shades of orange, red and purple and the leaves are electric green. Grow Swiss chard en masse in a border. It also makes a colorful addition to a pot arrangement.

• Chives. A member of the onion family, this plant is rarely attacked by insects. The pink flowers are delightful and the foliage toler-ates year-round cutting. Chives also overwinter well.

• Cabbages and kales. Unlike the ornamental cabbages and kales, which may be a little tough for eating, the varieties that are grown for eating have a more subtle coloring, but are still very pretty. They look best when grouped. Experiment with design plans that mix different colors and textures in interesting patterns or shapes.

• Rhubarb. Pretty stems are red to cream-colored. Adds height to your landscape.

• Asparagus. Emerges early in spring. It's unique form and texture is surprising outside the vegetable bed. The plant's lacy leaves persist after harvest.