Incredible edible ornamentals

A USU Extension horticulturist compiles list of plants that can be used ornamentally as well as for food production.

From USU Cooperative Extension:

Most people have never experienced their very existence depending on whatever food they could harvest from their gardens or farms. However, this was common in the past, and many of our ancestors did it for survival. Currently, raising food has become a hobby for many, but with the uncertain economy, people have again begun planting larger gardens and more fruit trees as a way to stretch their budgets.

Even further, a trend from the 1970s has come back into popularity called edible landscaping. It involves growing a traditional vegetable garden and orchard, but also having most ornamental plants in the landscape produce something edible. Instead of planting a regular shade tree, a large nut tree might be used. If a hedge row is needed, a shrub that produces an edible fruit can be grown. Below is a list of plants that can be used ornamentally as well as for food production.

• Serviceberries - These are available in both tree and shrub forms. The ripe fruit is tasty eaten fresh and can be processed into jellies or syrup. Ornamentally, shrub forms can be used as an informal screen or hedge, and the tree species are useful in areas with limited space. Both trees and shrubs develop beautiful fall foliage.
 

Click here to read the full list.