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Index : Flowers - Perennials
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- 4. Edible Ornamentals - Top
- Any plant that provides edible seeds, fruits, flowers, leaves or other plant parts would be considered an edible plant. As for it’s ornamental properties, all plants have an aesthetic appeal to one degree or another. But some plants are both highly ornamental and very good to eat! Some of these edible ornamentals great for Tucson gardens include:
Globe Artichoke Globe Artichoke are grown for their delectable immature flower buds. Here in Tucson fall planting is a must so that flower buds can be harvested before hot spring temperatures turn the tender buds tough and inedible. Some of the buds should be left to come into their spectacular bloom of cushiony globed purplish-blue, nearly florescent flowers .
Sunflower Sunflower seeds are great for snacking, grow fast and come in every size and flower color imaginable. Not only do they grow fast, but their extremely easy to grow from seeds making them a kids gardening favorite. Some of the best full-sized Sunflower Sunflower varieties are ‘Mammoth Russian’ ‘Mammoth Russian’, ‘Cyclops’ ‘Cyclops’ and ‘Paul Bunyan’ ‘Paul Bunyan’. All grow 10 to 12 feet tall. But there are also Sunflower Sunflower varieties like ‘Sunflower Elf’ ‘Sunflower Elf’ that grow less than 2 feet tall. Color selections include the traditional yellow ray brown disk flowers, red, crimson, bronze, orange and white.
Great selections of Sunflower variety seeds are available from the Burpee Seed Company at www.burpee.com and Seedman at www.seedman.com
Pomegranate Pomegranate is a beautiful large shrub to small tree that thrives in desert heat. The fruits are red to red-orange, large and highly decorative. Fruits ripen 6 to 7 months after flowering. Pomegranate Pomegranate fruit should be cut off using a sharp hand pruners at maturity. Fruit will not ripen off the tree. Under the hard outer shell is a seedy pulp that’s tart and sweet. The pulp can be eaten fresh or juiced. Flowers are also an orangy-red and showy. The cultivar ‘Wonderful’ produces the best quality fruits.
Grapes Grapes are gaining increased popularity as the vine of choice for many home gardeners. Lush edible leaves and the fruit clusters are as beautiful as they are juicy sweet. Grape vines blend beautifully with Mediterranean-style gardens. The most vigorous grape variety for our desert environment is the Thompson’s Seedless table grape. But many wine grapes also preform well in the heat including; Syrah (a.k.a. Shiraz) Syrah (a.k.a. Shiraz), Tempranillo Tempranillo , Barbera Barbera and Petite Sirah Petite Sirah. Grapes grow well on arbors and trellises or can be trained to grow free-standing much like a small tree.
Peppers Peppers can be sweet, spicy or hot but all have attractive fruits in a range of colors including; near black, purple, red, orange, gold and green. New pepper varieties are always being introduced into the market. Some of the best are the All American Selections, like the 2006 award winner ‘Carmen’ ‘Carmen’, an improved sweet pepper with an unusual shape. Rather than the typical bell, Carmen has an elongated chili pepper form. Fruits are quick to mature to a bright red, but are sweet and edible while still green.
Edible Flower Petals are gaining popularity for using as garnishes, additions to salads and for flavorings in beverages, jams and jellies, cheese spreads, and herbal butters. Some like squash flowers and dandelion blooms can be fried in a light batter or cornmeal. Others can be stuffed or used in stir-fry dishes. Some popular flowers with desirable flavors include; Nasturtium Nasturtium (peppery flavor), Viola Viola(sweet), Hibiscus Hibiscus (citrus to cranberry), Rose Rose (perfumed, sweet to bitter), and Dianthus Dianthus (spicy, clove). A word of caution. Even edible flowers may not agree with some people. Have a small taste just to see if you suffer any ill effects before consuming more.
Written by John Begeman, College of Agriculture and Life Sciences, the University of Arizona,
520-626-5161.
- Updated: July 2, 2006
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