A Delicious, Edible Oasis in the Heart of Aberdeen
As I stroll through my ornamental edible garden, the sights, smells, and sounds captivate my senses. The vibrant colors of the rainbow chard and purple kale contrast beautifully with the delicate petals of the spider mums. The gentle rustling of the grape vines overhead sets the stage for an enchanting symphony of buzzing bees and chirping birds. This is no ordinary garden – it’s a veritable feast for the eyes and the palate.
As I discovered from fellow garden writer Niki Jabbour, incorporating edible plants into an ornamental garden design can create a truly unique and captivating space. The benefits are twofold: not only do you get to enjoy the aesthetic beauty of the plants, but you can also indulge in the delicious bounty they provide.
Designing Your Edible Oasis
When it comes to creating an ornamental edible garden, the key is to strike a harmonious balance between the ornamental and the edible. I like to think of it as a symphony of flavors and textures, where each plant plays a unique and complementary role.
Let’s start with the foundation of the garden – the herbs. Fragrant lavender hedges and a variety of basils, mints, and scented geraniums not only add a touch of aromatherapy to the space, but they also serve as the building blocks for countless culinary creations.
Incorporating Berries and Fruit
Moving on, the next layer of the garden is the berry and fruit-bearing plants. Blueberry hedges, with their vibrant foliage and delectable berries, provide a stunning contrast to the other plantings. Strawberry borders, plum trees, and a mix of raspberries, quince, and elderberry add even more edible delights to the garden.
Vegetables and Greens
No ornamental edible garden would be complete without a healthy dose of vegetables and greens. Rows of cherry and vine tomatoes, leeks, carrots, and a variety of lettuces and kales add both visual interest and culinary potential. And let’s not forget the artichokes, rhubarb, and cardoons, whose dramatic leaves make them as much a feast for the eyes as they are for the stomach.
Groundcovers and Containers
To tie the whole design together, I’ve incorporated edible groundcovers like Corsican mint and thyme between the stepping stones, and I’ve placed potted citrus trees and a grape vine arbor to add vertical interest and provide a sense of enclosure.
Harvesting and Design
One of the true joys of an ornamental edible garden is the ability to bring the bounty indoors for floral arrangements and culinary creations. Imagine using unripe figs, plums, and tomatoes on the vine to create a stunning centerpiece, or garnishing a salad with edible flowers like nasturtiums and marigolds. The opportunities are endless, and the results are always delightfully unexpected.
Feeding Body and Soul
As I stand back and admire my ornamental edible garden, I can’t help but feel a deep sense of pride and satisfaction. This is more than just a beautiful landscape – it’s a living, breathing extension of my own culinary and artistic passions. By blending the ornamental and the edible, I’ve created a space that not only nourishes my body, but also my soul.
And the best part? You can do the same right here in Aberdeen. ABC Home and Gardens is the perfect partner to help you transform your outdoor space into a verdant, edible oasis. With their expertise in garden design and landscape architecture, they can bring your vision to life, and help you cultivate a true feast for the senses.
So, what are you waiting for? It’s time to embrace the ornamental and the edible, and create a garden that truly feeds you too.
