NO-SPRAY EDIBLE LANDSCAPE PLANTS

Spring brings forth a multitude of colorful fruit tree blossoms that will soon be pollinated to produce tasty harvests of edible fruit. Many traditional fruit crops such as apples, plums, peaches and cherries are wrought with insect and disease issues that can inhibit fruit production, reduce fruit yields or visually destroy the natural beauty of the fruit.   Traditionally, such fruit trees have been treated with dangerous chemical pesticides in order to alleviate these problems.  Chemical pesticides can only temporarily eliminate such pest pressures, and many pesticides have been linked to serious human, animal and environmental health problems.  Aside from selecting pest resistant varieties of our old favorites, there are many exciting fruit trees, shrubs and vines that provide high yields of edible fruit that naturally resist insect and disease attacks.  Many of these fruit bearing plants require little maintenance once established, and can be incorporated into our front yard landscapes for additional interest and function.

1. Paw Paw- Hailed as the banana of the north, this small 15’-20’ pyramidal tree is native to Ohio, and has large, tropical-looking foliage.  Paw Paw bears attractive deep purple bell-like blooms in early spring and brilliant clear yellow fall leaf color. The fruit of this tree are the largest in North America, with shades of greenish-yellow and flecked with brown when ripe. The flavor is much like that of bananas, but with additional hints of vanilla custard, pineapple, mango and pear.  Paw Paw fruit is high in vitamin A and C, unusually high in protein and carbohydrates, and has a good balance of amino acids. Although Paw Paw grows naturally in shady woodland areas, it fruits more prolifically in full sun with good air circulation.  Paw Paw trees look great in the front yard as a specimen, or work well in groups of three or more.
2. American Persimmon- This medium to large tree is native to Ohio, and bears drooping blue-green leaves that create a relaxed and graceful character.  The inconspicuous white-green flowers of this tree have a sugary fragrance, and if pollinated, will produce 3” semi-round fruit with a jellylike texture and rich flavor of an apricot.  It has been said that frozen persimmons are delicious as slightly softened ice cream. The fruit drop when ripe, and persist from September to December.  If one attempts to eat the fruit before they are ripe, it will give a mouth puckering sensation.  The American Persimmon is an astringent, high in vitamin A, with a fair amount of C, and is a valuable fruit for wildlife. This tree will attract many bird species to ones yard.  Grows best in full sun to light shade.
3. Cornelian Cherry Dogwood- Considered a large shrub to small tree bearing four seasons of interest, this herald of the spring explodes with a veil of bright yellow flowers well before forsythia blooms.  The trees rounded form and flaking gray-tan bark, provides good winter interest. The Cornelian Cherry Dogwood fruits best in full sun and bears cherry-sized glossy red fruit twice as high in Vitamin C as oranges. Ripening from summer through fall, this dogwood makes an excellent specimen tree, and will attract a wide diversity of birds when fruit ripen. When steeped in a mild sugar solution, the fruit can be used to produce jellies, jams, preserves and even sorbet.
4. Lowbush Blueberry- Typically less than 2’ tall and 3’ wide, this highly ornamental shrub bears nodding white or pinkish blossoms that resemble that of lily of the valley.  Attractive red to yellow stems carry lustrous dark to blue-green foliage that change to shades of bronze and crimson, when at its best, rivals the maple and burning bush fall color.  The eye-catching blooms give way to striking clusters of sweet, dark blue berries by midsummer.  Blueberries are considered to be one of the highest sources of antioxidants, an excellent source of soluble fiber, high in both vitamins A and C and considered to have mild antibiotic properties.  Lowbush blueberries are a good choice for areas in need of small shrubs or groundcovers, and benefit from the addition of peat moss, pine bark and well drained soils.

If you are searching for any of the above fruit bearing ornamentals, look no farther than Marvin’s Organic Gardens.  In addition to the abovementioned, we offer a large diversity of fruiting plants, vegetables and herbs.  Come visit us this spring for all your plant and organic gardening needs.  If you have questions regarding this article, or other gardening inquiries, please email me at wes@marvinsorganicgardens.com