These 5 Edible Shrubs Are the Perfect Hedge Alternative
Just say no to boring greenery and try one of these bountiful bushes instead.
Photo by Christina Chung, courtesy of Cool Springs Press, 2024. All Rights Reserved.
Move over boring borders (looking at you, boxwood); we’ve got edible shrubs that will increase biodiversity, create layering, and become a delicious addition to your landscaping. Vancouver-based author and horticulturist Christina Chung is on a mission to convert us from ordinary standbys and to help us embrace shrubs that offer a number of benefits to the garden.
While there’s no need to stick to just one type or variety, in her book The Layered Edible Garden, she explains how an informal mixed hedge planting can provide year-round interest, be a time and money saver, and also provide shelter for birds. When these plants are given space and time to fill out naturally, you’ll get to appreciate their unique, natural forms—in other words, we’re giving full permission to skip the pruning. Here are Christina’s five favorites to consider.
Favorite Shrubs That Bear Fruit
Pineapple guava (Feijoa sellowiana)
Easy to grow in warm climates, this evergreen shrub is generally not bothered by pests and diseases when placed in well-draining sites. The robust green leaves have a silvery underside adding lots of interest to any sunny garden. This is one delicious fruit you likely won’t find in the supermarket, so grow several varieties for cross pollination to help with yields.
Chilean guava (Ugni molinae)
A handsome and low-maintenance alternative to boring boxwoods! These easy-care plants with small, dark green leaves produce many small, unique tasting berries (imagine a slightly resinous strawberry-mint bubblegum) that ripen in early fall. Most don’t eclipse five feet in height at maturity, so consider giving them a boost by planting in a large container.
Bay laurel (Laurus nobilis)
A lovely and aromatic choice for those who have sunny, well-draining conditions. Gardeners in cooler and wet climates should consider growing in a container to overwinter in a sheltered spot and to better manage moisture levels. This plant responds well to pruning and shaping. The best part: You’ll have an endless supply of delicious bay leaves for cooking.
Goumi (Elaeagnus multiflora)
If you like plants that sparkle, this is a must-grow. Although goumis drop their shimmery silver-green leaves in the fall, their gorgeous metallic bronze stems will be eye-catching over the winter months. The soft red fruits, which are also covered with gold flecks, ripen in the fall, and yields are improved when compatible varieties are planted in close proximity. This is a great plant for low-fertility soils and dry sites, and it also isn’t bothered by most pests and diseases.
Sea buckthorn (Hippophae rhamnoides)
One of the hardiest superfood plants that thrive in lean, dry, sunny sites, these plants, which are covered with thorns, are a great candidate for security hedges to keep unwanted visitors from easily getting into the garden. The clusters of bright orange berries are sweet, bitter, and tart, and also full of vitamins. Because they are dioecious plants, where female and male flowers are produced on separate plants, be sure to plant both in the garden for wind pollination.
Buy the Book
Photo by Christina Chung, courtesy of Cool Springs Press, 2024. All Rights Reserved.
For more tips on designing a beautiful edible garden, pick up a copy of The Layered Edible Garden by Christina Chung.
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