What ornamental plants are best for a kitchen garden?
Growing fresh herbs in your kitchen garden is a great way to incorporate some organic vegetable gardening into your lifestyle. There are plenty of benefits to growing your own herbs, including access to aromatic plants, reduced grocery bill, and the added bonus of fresh-cut flower arrangements for dinner.
Kitchen gardens can be used to grow a variety of ornamental plants that will complement the colours and shapes of your home and garden. If you’re looking for specific types of plants, this article will help you make an informed selection on what is best for your kitchen garden.
What are the best plants for a kitchen garden?
Growing fresh herbs in your kitchen garden is a great way to incorporate some organic vegetable gardening into your lifestyle. You’ll be able to access aromatic plants with low-maintenance growing requirements, reduced grocery bill, and the added bonus of fresh-cut flower arrangements for dinner. In addition to fresh herbs, you can also grow flowers for cut bouquets.
If you’re looking for specific types of plants, this article will help you make an informed selection on what is best for your kitchen garden. There are many types of herbs that are suitable for a kitchen garden, including culinary herbs, medicinal herbs, and aromatic plants.
While many culinary herbs can be grown indoors, they will not produce the same quality as they would in the garden. Growing herbs is a great way to add flavour to your dishes, but it’s also a great way to get in some exercise by weeding and cultivating the soil.
What plants are not good for a kitchen garden?
There are many types of herbs that are suitable for a kitchen garden, but there are also a few types of plants that should be avoided. As with any kind of gardening, there are many factors that you’ll need to consider when choosing which plants will be best for your space.
Lilies, when left unattended, are prone to stretching and will take over the garden. They are best used on a patio or contemporary garden. Most types of ornamental grasses are not suited for cultivation in the garden. Examples include Beauties, Buffalo, Colours, and Johns.
Generally speaking, annual grasses are best used as cut flowers and used sparingly in the kitchen garden. Some perennial grasses can be grown as ornamental perennials, but they will require special care and attention for successful long-term growth. Many tropical plants, including orchid varieties and palms, will require a special indoor/outdoor grower or are best used in an indoor grower.
How to grow a herbaceous ornamental plant in your kitchen garden
Herbaceous plants are generally low-maintenance and require little space. For many types of herbaceous plants, the best thing about them is their appearance, making them the perfect choice for an entry-level kitchen garden.
Some popular herbaceous ornamental plants include:
- Lilacs are one of the most popular traditional herbaceous ornamental plants. They are deciduous shrubs with fragrant flowers that bloom in early spring. Lilacs are great for hedges, borders, and windbreaks. They can be grown as an annual or perennial shrubs, depending on the variety.
- Acerose – Acerose is a flowering shrub with very fragrant flowers. The Acerose’s flowers open in the evening and close in the early morning. They bloom all summer and fall, but the flowers are not very fragrant.
- Acer platanoides – This is a large, deciduous Maple, with white or blue leaves. The Maple has fragrant flowers, which bloom in the late spring. The Maple flowers last for about three weeks.
Spices and Condiments
Herbs are not only great for flavouring your food but many herbs can be used for medicinal purposes, such as for pain relief or for treating colds or coughs. Spices like cinnamon, ginger, and turmeric can add both flavour and health benefits to your meals.
Ginger is a great anti-inflammatory that can be added to any dish while turmeric adds colour and a distinct flavour to everything from chicken to vegetables. Condiments, like tomato, garlic, and ginger ketchup, can add a unique flavour to almost any dish. Some herbs are great for picklings, such as cumin, cinnamon, and turmeric.
Roses
The scent of a rose can be romantic and become a natural symbol of love and affection. Many types of roses are suitable for a kitchen garden, including hybrid tea roses, hybrid rose of Sharon, hybrid tea roses, and blush roses. Hybrid tea roses are one of the most popular roses for a kitchen garden. Their large, fragrant flowers bloom in a variety of colours, including red, pink, white, and yellow.
Hybrid tea roses can be planted as an annual or perennial shrubs, depending on the variety. Blush roses are another popular rose variety for a kitchen garden because they are available in a wide range of varieties and colours, including whites, pinks, oranges, and reds. They are best used as a cut flowers and are generally easy to grow.
Fruits and Berries
Fruits and berries make great additions to a kitchen garden for a fruit-forward garden, or for growing a berry patch in your backyard. Fruits like avocados, apples, and strawberries are great for fresh eating, while berries like blueberries, raspberries, and blackberries can be used for fresh-cut bouquets or beverages. Some fruits and berries are great for preserving, such as pears, apples, and blueberries.
Many fruits and berries are suitable for canning, making them great for long-term storage. Some fruits and berries, however, are not meant to be canned, such grapes, plums, and pears. Fruits and berries can be grown in pots, in raised beds, or on the ground in your backyard. Keep in mind that they are best suited to temperate zones and can be difficult to grow in certain regions, such as the South.
Soil-specific considerations for a kitchen
There are many factors to consider when growing vegetables and herbs in your backyard, including the type of soil, the right plant species, and the right season. For example, you’ll want to choose a type of soil that is well-drained, but also well-aerated. Once you know what type of soil you have, you’ll be able to choose from the many varieties of vegetables and herbs that are suitable for your soil type.
Conclusion
Growing fresh herbs in your kitchen garden is a great way to incorporate some organic vegetable gardening into your lifestyle. There are plenty of benefits to growing your herbs, including access to aromatic plants, reduced grocery bill, and the bonus of fresh-cut flower arrangements for dinner. In addition to fresh herbs, you can also grow flowers for cut bouquets.
There are many types of herbs that are suitable for a kitchen garden, including culinary herbs, medicinal herbs, and aromatic plants. While many culinary herbs can be grown indoors, they will not produce the same quality as they would in the garden. Growing herbs is a great way to add flavour to your dishes, but it’s also a great way to get in some exercise by weeding and cultivating the soil
