‘Beautiful Edible Garden’: A fruitful kind of ornamentation
The magnolia tree is known for its beautiful flowers, but for an alternative you might want to consider a Fuyu persimmon tree, whose bright orange fruit can brighten the garden a different way. (Arno Burgi / EPA; Ten Speed Press)
The ubiquitous boxwood hedge, far left, can be replaced by different kinds of food-producing plants. The authors of “The Beautiful Edible Garden” suggest two alternatives: Chinotto (Citrus myrtifolia, also called the myrtle-leafed orange), center, or a blueberry bush (the cultivar pictured here is Sunshine Blue). (Carole Drake / Getty Images; Jill Rizzo; Debra Prinzing)
Privet, the common hedge plant, left, is popular as a privacy screen between yards. An edible alternative: culinary bay, whose leaves are dense enough to create privacy and also can be used in cooking. (Janet Seaton / Getty Images; Ten Speed Press)
Pittosporum tenuifolium is popular for its airy habit, but Chilean guava can be a nice alternative — while providing fruit and seasonal flowers. (Carole Drake / Getty Images; Leslie Bennett)
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Lamb’s ear, left, is a popular groundcover, beloved for its silver-green sheen and textured foliage. For an edible alternative, consider some types of sage. Pictured here: Berggarten sage. (Gerry Broome / Associated Press; Ten Speed Press)
Dymondia, left, is often used as a low-water groundcover or planting between pavers. An easy substitute is oregano; the cultivar White Anniversary is shown at right. (Spencer Weiner / Los Angeles Times; Stefani Bittner)