7 Garden Ideas for Combining Edibles and Ornamentals

You don’t have to choose between growing food and having a beautiful garden – you can create a space that does both. By thoughtfully combining edibles and ornamentals, you’ll build a landscape that’s both practical and stunning. From layered borders with tall purple lavender and bright red peppers to climbing beans on decorative trellises, there are countless ways to blend form and function. Let’s explore seven proven design strategies that’ll transform your garden into an edible paradise worth showing off.

Design a Layered Garden Border With Herbs and Flowers

A layered garden border blending herbs and flowers creates a stunning tapestry of textures, colors, and fragrances that transforms any outdoor space into a sensory wonderland. Tall purple spires of Russian sage and lavender stand sentinel at the back, while mid-height plants like echinacea, salvias, and bee balm create a vibrant middle story. The front edge softens into a cascade of creeping thyme, oregano, and chamomile, spilling over onto pathways and releasing their aromatic oils when brushed against.

This thoughtfully designed border combines the practical with the beautiful, offering both visual interest and culinary bounty throughout the growing season. Bronze fennel fronds wave gently beside pink yarrow blooms, while chives provide purple pom-pom flowers in spring before becoming a reliable kitchen staple. Calendula and borage flowers add splashes of orange and blue, attracting pollinators while providing edible garnishes for summer salads.

Key Elements:

• Tall background plants (4-5 feet)
• Medium-height plants (2-3 feet)
• Ground-cover herbs and flowers (under 1 foot)
• Stepping stones or pathway access
• Mulch for weed control
• Irrigation system or easy water access
• Plant markers or labels
• Complementary color schemes
• Mix of textures and leaf shapes

Start by preparing a border at least 3 feet deep with well-draining, amended soil. Place taller plants like dill, Russian sage, and butterfly bush toward the back, ensuring they won’t shade out shorter specimens. Create drifts of medium-height plants in groups of 3-5 for visual impact, mixing herbs like sage and oregano with flowering perennials. Edge the front with low-growing spreaders, allowing them to soften hard borders and pathway edges.

Plant maintenance requires regular harvesting of herbs to encourage bushiness, deadheading spent flowers, and dividing perennials every few years to maintain vigor. Mulch helps retain moisture and suppress weeds, while strategic plant placement ensures easy access for harvesting and maintenance. Consider installing a drip irrigation system to provide consistent moisture, especially crucial during establishment.

For smaller spaces or balcony gardens, this concept can be adapted using containerized layers with tall plants in larger back pots, medium plants in middle-sized containers, and trailing herbs in front-facing hanging baskets or window boxes. Choose dwarf varieties of larger plants, and focus on herbs and flowers that perform well in containers.

Remember to group plants with similar water needs together, and position scented varieties near seating areas or entrances for maximum enjoyment.

Create Edible Container Combinations

Container combinations bursting with both edibles and ornamentals create living works of art that tantalize all the senses. Fragrant herbs spill over copper pot edges while compact tomato varieties stretch upward between purple basil and trailing nasturtiums.

The interplay of textures and colors transforms ordinary patios and balconies into lush, productive garden spaces that delight the eye while providing fresh ingredients just steps from the kitchen.

These edible container gardens blend the practical with the beautiful, featuring vertical elements like trellised sugar snap peas adorned with delicate white blooms, surrounded by low-growing strawberries and violas.

Decorative containers in varying heights create visual interest, while Mediterranean herbs like rosemary and sage add sophisticated silver-green foliage that complements both flowers and vegetables.

Key Elements:

• Containers of various sizes (12-24 inch diameter)
• Quality potting soil with slow-release fertilizer
• Compact vegetable varieties
• Trailing herbs and edible flowers
• Vertical supports and trellises
• Decorative mulch or pebbles
• Drip irrigation system or self-watering containers
• Plant markers or labels

Start by selecting containers with adequate drainage and arrange them according to height, with taller vessels toward the back. Fill containers with high-quality potting mix, leaving 2 inches of space below the rim.

Position vertical elements like trellises first, then plant tall vegetables or vining crops. Surround these with mid-height plants like peppers or bush beans, and edge containers with cascading herbs and flowers.

Group plants with similar water needs together and ensure all plants receive at least 6 hours of direct sunlight daily.

Small-space gardeners should focus on dwarf varieties and plants that serve multiple purposes – like edible flowers that attract pollinators or herbs that provide both culinary use and ornamental value.

For tiny balconies, utilize vertical space with wall-mounted planters or stackable containers. Consider the weight restrictions of your space and use lightweight growing mediums when necessary.

Succession planting of quick-growing crops like lettuce and radishes keeps containers productive throughout the season while maintaining visual appeal.

Transform Your Front Yard Into a Food Forest

Picture a lush, layered landscape where ornamental beauty meets edible abundance. Dwarf fruit trees create a welcoming canopy, their spring blossoms giving way to summer fruits, while attractive berry bushes form a natural border dotted with colorful flowers.

Meandering pathways lined with fragrant herbs and edible flowers guide visitors through this practical paradise, where every plant serves both aesthetic and nutritional purposes.

The traditional lawn transforms into a tapestry of productive plants, with strawberries as ground cover, rainbow chard adding bold splashes of color, and climbing grape vines adorning decorative trellises.

Artichokes stand as architectural elements with their silvery-green leaves, while lavender and rosemary provide structure and year-round interest. This food forest creates a dynamic ecosystem that attracts beneficial insects and birds, making your front yard both beautiful and alive with activity.

Key Elements:

• Dwarf fruit trees (apple, pear, plum)
• Berry bushes (blueberry, raspberry, currant)
• Herb borders (sage, thyme, oregano)
• Edible flowers (nasturtium, borage, calendula)
• Vertical growing structures
• Mulched pathways
• Pollinator-friendly plants
• Rain catchment system
• Decorative edging
• Garden seating areas

Implementation begins with mapping sun patterns and creating distinct growing zones. Start by establishing the tree layer, positioning dwarf varieties where they won’t overshadow other plants at maturity.

Create wide, curved paths that divide the space into manageable sections, then install shrubs and perennial herbs along these pathways. Add vertical elements like trellises and archways near the house or property boundaries.

Layer the plantings by height, with taller elements at the back or center of beds, medium-height plants in the middle, and ground covers at the edges.

Incorporate water-efficient irrigation systems and deep mulch to maintain moisture. Group plants with similar water needs together, and include permanent structures like raised beds or stone borders to add year-round visual interest.

Design Considerations: Climate-appropriate plant selection is crucial for maintaining an attractive front yard throughout the seasons.

In smaller spaces, focus on dwarf varieties and vertical growing systems. Container gardens can create the same layered effect on a smaller scale, perfect for townhouse fronts or courtyard gardens.

Consider neighborhood regulations and maintain a tidy appearance by regularly pruning and harvesting to keep the garden looking intentional rather than overgrown.

Build Vertical Gardens With Climbing Edibles

Transform your vertical space into a lush, living tapestry of edible abundance by creating a garden that reaches skyward. Climbing beans wind their emerald tendrils around copper-toned trellises, while fragrant grape vines drape gracefully overhead, creating dappled shade patterns on the ground below. Purple-flowering passion fruit vines intertwine with scarlet runner beans, offering a stunning visual display that doubles as a productive food source.

The vertical garden becomes an enchanting green wall that shifts and changes through the seasons. Sweet peas perfume the spring air, followed by the bold yellow blossoms of climbing squash in summer. Espaliered fruit trees form living sculptures against walls, while kiwi vines create a dense canopy overhead. This living architecture transforms ordinary spaces into secret gardens that engage all the senses while providing a steady harvest of fresh produce.

Essential Elements:

• Strong support structures (trellises, arbors, or wall-mounted panels)
• Climbing plants (beans, peas, grapes, kiwi)
• Espaliered fruit trees
• Sturdy containers or raised beds
• Irrigation system
• Plant support ties and clips
• Growing medium suitable for vertical gardens
• Wire mesh or string systems
• Tool storage solutions

Begin by installing robust support structures, ensuring they’re securely anchored and can bear the weight of mature plants. Position these structures to maximize sunlight exposure while considering how shade patterns will affect surrounding areas.

Install an efficient irrigation system that can reach plants at various heights, incorporating both drip lines and spray heads as needed. Layer your plantings strategically, placing permanent vines and espaliered trees first, then adding annual climbers to fill gaps and create seasonal interest.

Plant selection and maintenance are crucial for long-term success. Choose varieties suited to your climate zone and available light conditions. Regular pruning keeps plants manageable and productive, while training new growth ensures even coverage. Monitor support structures throughout the growing season, reinforcing them as needed when plants reach full size.

For adaptation to different spaces, consider modular systems that can expand or contract based on available area. Small balconies can utilize folding trellises and container-grown climbers, while larger spaces might incorporate permanent archways and pergolas.

Focus on compact varieties for limited spaces, and consider using lightweight growing mediums and self-watering systems to reduce structural load on balconies or rooftop gardens. Maximize corner spaces by installing V-shaped trellises that create pockets of growing area while maintaining accessibility for harvest and maintenance.

Plant Companion Gardens for Beauty and Function

Companion gardens blend the practical with the beautiful, creating a harmonious space where flowers and vegetables grow side by side in perfect symbiosis. Tall sunflowers stand sentinel over ripening tomatoes, while marigolds border beds of lettuce, their bright orange blooms attracting beneficial insects and deterring unwanted pests.

Purple basil and rainbow chard create striking color contrasts against the soft silver foliage of sage and lavender, proving that edible gardens can be just as visually stunning as ornamental ones.

The garden paths weave between raised beds filled with complementary plantings, where climbing nasturtiums cascade over trellises alongside sugar snap peas. Compact herbs like thyme and oregano form living borders, releasing their fragrance when brushed against, while calendula and borage add splashes of color between rows of vegetables.

This thoughtful integration of flowers and edibles creates a garden that’s both productive and enchanting, drawing in pollinators and human visitors alike.

Key Elements:

• Raised beds or defined planting areas
• Trellises and vertical supports
• Companion plant combinations
• Walking paths
• Edging plants
• Pollinator-friendly flowers
• Herbs for borders
• Garden markers or labels
• Mulch or ground cover
• Water source

Begin implementation by sketching your garden layout, considering sun exposure and plant heights. Install raised beds or define ground-level planting areas, ensuring paths are wide enough for comfortable access.

Group plants according to their growing requirements and beneficial relationships – for example, plant basil near tomatoes, and marigolds alongside vegetables that need pest protection. Create vertical interest with trellises and supports, installing them before planting climbing varieties.

Consider staging your plantings throughout the season, starting with cool-weather crops and their companions in spring, followed by warm-season vegetables and complementary flowers.

Maintain clear paths between planting areas, using materials like wood chips or stepping stones to prevent soil compaction and make maintenance easier. Regular pruning and deadheading will keep the garden looking tidy while encouraging continuous blooms and production.

For smaller spaces like balconies or patios, focus on container combinations that maximize both beauty and function. Use vertical gardening techniques with wall-mounted planters or tiered containers.

Choose dwarf varieties of vegetables and compact flower varieties that work well in containers. Remember to group plants with similar water needs together, and position containers so taller plants won’t shade shorter ones unless specifically planned for companion benefits.

Even the smallest space can accommodate a productive and beautiful companion garden with proper planning and plant selection.

Mix Colorful Vegetables Into Flower Beds

A vibrant tapestry of edible and ornamental plants creates an enchanting garden space where Swiss chard’s ruby stalks stand proudly alongside purple coneflowers, and the feathery fronds of bronze fennel dance above coral-hued zinnias.

Rainbow carrots peek through silvery artemisia, while climbing scarlet runner beans add vertical interest, their bright blooms attracting hummingbirds and butterflies. The interplay of textures and colors transforms the traditional flower bed into an edible work of art.

This mixed garden style breaks free from conventional rows, instead weaving vegetables throughout ornamental plantings in harmonious groups. Purple cabbage heads become focal points amid golden marigolds, while cherry tomatoes climb decorative obelisks draped with morning glories.

Nasturtiums spill over pathway edges, their edible flowers adding splashes of sunset colors among the deep greens of compact herbs and leafy vegetables.

Key Elements:

• Structural supports (trellises, obelisks, stakes)
• Mix of flowering annuals and perennials
• Colorful vegetable varieties
• Companion herbs
• Edible flowers
• Mulch or ground cover
• Garden art or decorative elements
• Pathway materials
• Container options
• Quality soil amendments

Begin implementation by selecting vegetables with striking colors or interesting forms as anchor plants. Position these focal points first, then surround them with complementary flowers that share similar growing requirements.

Layer plants by height, with taller specimens at the back or center of beds. Integrate climbing vegetables on decorative supports to add vertical interest while maximizing space.

Maintain consistent soil moisture and fertility through regular mulching and feeding, as mixed plantings compete for nutrients.

Garden adaptation tips: For small spaces or balconies, focus on compact varieties and vertical growing systems. Use containers of varying heights to create depth and interest, and choose plants that serve multiple purposes – like edible flowers or herbs with attractive foliage.

Consider self-watering containers for consistent moisture, and select dwarf varieties of vegetables that won’t overshadow ornamental companions. Remember that even tiny spaces can accommodate this style through thoughtful plant selection and creative use of vertical space.

Incorporate Fruit Trees as Landscape Focal Points

Transform your landscape into a living work of art by positioning fruit trees as stunning focal points that combine beauty with bounty. Elegant apple trees laden with spring blossoms give way to summer’s ripening fruit, while dwarf citrus varieties add year-round structure and winter interest with their glossy leaves and bright fruits.

The trees create natural gathering spots, offering dappled shade for seating areas and vertical interest that draws the eye upward through the garden’s layers.

These edible anchors become natural conversation pieces as visitors discover the dual purpose of your landscape design. Espalier pear trees trained against walls create living architecture, while weeping plum varieties add dramatic form with their cascading branches.

Underplant these botanical stars with complementary perennials and groundcovers that echo their seasonal changes, creating a cohesive design that flows through the seasons.

Key Elements:

• Dwarf fruit trees suited to your climate zone
• Decorative mulch or ground cover
• Strategic lighting for evening ambiance
• Complementary perennial plantings
• Seating areas or gathering spaces
• Support structures or espalier frames
• Irrigation system
• Protective tree guards or fencing
• Plant markers or labels
• Pathways leading to trees

Begin implementation by selecting locations that provide adequate sunlight and proper spacing for mature tree size. Choose varieties that are disease-resistant and appropriate for your growing zone, positioning them where they’ll be visible from key viewing areas.

Install irrigation before planting, and prepare soil with organic matter and proper drainage. Create clear sight lines to showcase the trees, using them to anchor garden rooms or mark transitions between spaces.

Consider height variations and seasonal interest when selecting companion plants. Layer shorter plants around the base, graduating outward with medium-height perennials.

Maintain clean lines with defined edges and mulched areas, keeping the focus on the trees while allowing practical access for harvesting and maintenance.

Adaptation Tips: For smaller spaces, opt for columnar fruit trees or multi-grafted specimens that provide several varieties on one rootstock.

Container gardening works well with dwarf citrus or miniature fruit trees, perfect for patios and balconies.

Consider using narrow espalier forms against walls or fences to maximize limited space, and choose self-fertile varieties if room for only one tree exists.

Utilize vertical growing techniques and strategic pruning to maintain size while preserving fruit production.