Ornamental plants, by definition, are those
we use to enhance the
beauty of our yards, parks and workplaces.

These trees, shrubs and flowers can increase
the aesthetic and real
estate value of your property.

Some have parts you can eat. Or the wildlife
you want to attract can
eat them. The plants we call edible ornamentals are all:

* Used now mainly for their looks.

* Produce edible fruit or other plant
parts.

* Have edible parts that are underused
because of the varieties you
plant or how you place or prune them, etc., in the landscape.

* Have edible parts that don’t require
pesticides beyond those needed
for ornamental purposes.

Plants that meet these criteria and are
suited for Georgia gardens are
listed in the table below.

Greater use of these plants can add diversity
and value to your yard.
Planted in full or partial sun, they should set fruit in
Georgia.

All except bananas can survive winters
unprotected. A pineapple guava
will be killed back below 14 degrees but will resprout and bloom
the same year.

Very few pests will attack the immature fruit
of these plants, except
for mayhaws, where wormy and diseased fruit can be picked out at
harvest.

When mature, these fruits are highly prized
by birds and other
wildlife. If you want more birds in your yard, elderberries,
Japanese yews and mayhaws are
well-suited.

To get good fruiting, you may have to prune
these plants differently.
For instance, it’s best to head-back spring-blooming ornamentals
right after they flower.
But that would remove the young fruit from edible
ornamentals.

For these plants, use the timing and type of
pruning normally used for
fruit trees. As a rule, all they need is a light winter pruning
to thin out crowded
branches.