THE EDIBLE GARDEN | A FEAST FOR THE SENSES
07 Aug 2018
In any landscape big or small and in the ever-shrinking suburban backyard, a versatile landscaping solution is the edible garden. With endless combinations and immeasurable benefits, Warners Nurseries' palette of plants allows you to design a versatile landscaping solution that will feed your body and your senses.
A selection of well-chosen edibles creates a rich diversity of visual and textural elements with vibrant seasonal colour and aromatics. Not only can you create a residential or community garden, but you can also create screening walls to add a layer of privacy and security, while occupying a relatively small and narrow space.
Many edibles make excellent screening and hedging plants, with the added benefit of producing fruit that can be harvested and consumed. Lillypillies are ideal in this setting, with fast growing, dense glossy-green foliage, offering delicate flowers in spring and small berries in summer. Selecting a plant that grows to the required height will avoid crowding the space and a yearly trim will maintain a glorious privacy screen.
Citrus is a natural choice in courtyard gardens, being relatively low in maintenance and rewarding in both appearance and fruit. Lush all year round with thick green foliage, the blossoms fill the garden with a sweet perfume before fruiting, and may also attract birds and pollinators, which can have a positive impact on other flowering plants in the garden. Tangelo, mandarin, navel oranges and Lemonicious (PBR) are just as happy in a pot as in the garden bed and produce an abundance of fruit in winter that are packed full of juicy vitamin C.
Tight spaces are perfect for espalier and trellised shrubs. For instant impact, colour and appeal, persimmons and figs are a stunning inclusion to the edible garden. For smaller hedging or trimmed shrubs, bays and rosemary are both extremely hardy, water savvy and aromatic.
Some key Warners Nurseries' varieties to plant include the following.
ACMENA SMITHII ‘GREEN SCREEN’
Warners own cutting, grown from of this popular lillypilly species. A quick growing Aussie native with fantastic dark green foliage and bronze tinted new growth. An ideal choice for a solid screen as its deep green foliage provides a good backdrop for other plants.
This plant will produce mauve berries (riberries), which can be made into delicious jams and sauces.
LAURUS NOBILIS ‘FLAVOUR MASTER’ PBR
This variety is very hardy and perfect for hedging tight spaces. It is a great performer in pots and containers. This plant’s leaves, both fresh and dried, are used in cooking, making it an essential kitchen garden plant.
ROSMARINUS OFFICINALIS ‘CHEF’S CHOICE’
An evergreen, low growing shrub with an abundance of purple-blue flowers in summer. The highly aromatic silver-green foliage attractively cascades over the pot edge and can be clipped or close planted for a great low hedge or border.
PERSIMMON ‘FUYU’ (NON-ASTRINGENT)
A very hardy deciduous tree with stunning orange-red autumn foliage. Large orange fruit appear on bare stems in mid-winter. Ideal for Mediterranean-style landscapes. Grow as a medium to large deciduous feature tree or clip to keep it a more compact size. The fruit is eaten crisp and crunchy and makes a perfect addition to a cheese platter.
LEMONICIOUS PBR
This dwarf variety of Meyer lemon is a prolific producer. Lemonicious is perfect for small courtyards and balcony gardens where people desire a fruiting Lemon. Ideally suited to containers in a sunny spot.
To order these plants or for more information, contact Warners Nurseries or visit their website via the links below.
Warners Nurseries - A Total Plant Experience