When someone describes a landscape as edible, your first thought is probably tomatoes in the summer flowerbed. But you need to think winter too, because the edible landscape has broadened its horizons.
Today’s choice of plants allows you to create a cool season landscape that’s eye catching and tasty too. First, remember that plain old collards or greens can be very attractive in the flowerbed. But there is more.
If you like mustard greens then the Mississippi Medallion award- winning Red Giant is the one for you. Its young leaves are green and burgundy but as they age they change to a deep maroon.
Red giant is a great partner for other cool season flowers.
One of the more colorful choices for the cool season landscape is Swiss Chard. Its stems and leaves are both colorful and edible. They are eaten like spinach. One of the most desirable varieties of Swiss Chard is Bright Lights. It has stems and leaves that are different colors.
Lastly, don’t forget about the new plant that’s catching on across the south. It’s called Cardoon. Its gray, deeply serrated or jagged leaves make a bold appearance. Cardoon’s tender leaves, stems, and roots can all be eaten.
The cool season landscape has always been pretty, but now we can have our plants and eat them too! I’m Norman Winter for Southern Gardening.