It is extremely important to research any plant, edible or not, that you are considering putting into your landscape.  Many plants found labeled as  “native plants” or wildflowers for your area may in fact be considered an invasive pest.  How would you find out?  Research.  Governmental agencies and universities have databases that you can consult.  Check your State and local agencies for invasive lists pertinent to the area in which you live.

Here are a few links:

http://www.invasivespecies.net/

This is a Global Invasive Database on all Species: plants, animals, insects etc..

http://plants.usda.gov/java/noxComposite

Has list of  State noxious weeds

http://www.invasive.org/

Has invasive and exotic weed list

Please search for your local Country, State, County, etc. lists to prevent introducing a plant that is considered a noxious invasive in your area. Native flora populations are put at great risk when a vigorous introduction out competes them for light, nutrients and space.

An excellent example of this is Garlic mustard (Alliaria petiolata)- it is an edible plant but it is so aggressive in its growth habits that is totally takes over an area. No local flora can repopulate and survive its onslaught. A very serious invasive pest indeed. Please take the time to protect your local environments from plants that become noxious weeds. Please watch the following video: http://www.sustainablegardeningblog.com/archives/1586

I was researching a site and the list of plants considered invasive pests were ones they stated were native plants to the State! Shows the importance of checking local area lists.

Have questions about edible landscaping?  Need to find a plants, seeds, supplies?  No time to research what you are looking for?  Ask me and I’ll search for you.  I  love to research and solve dilemmas.     Thank you.   Cat

I am working on some quick reference lists to make it easier to identify edible plants I want to incorporate into my postage stamp size landscape. The internet is definitely the information highway.  I can find anything I’m looking for -  eventually -  but sometimes it takes a lot of time and energy.

First I  googled the category of interest, then went from site to site checking to see if they contained information I  needed.  Once I found information – I read it,  followed links, scanned, searched, jumped back, rechecked, looked for pictures of the plant and recorded all the basic information ( growing zones,  sizes, tree- shrub-vine-herb-, annual-perennial–biennial,  soil and sun requirements;  edibility- culinary and/or medicinal, etc…)  comparing it with information on every other plant I  discovered by repeating the same process.  It was a time consuming, tedious task to compile a list of a handful of plants that I felt fit my requirements. Then I would chance onto another site – find another plant that sounded wonderful (you need to know that I would have every edible plant imaginable – IF I had the space).

This is where the idea of a handy reference guide popped into my head.  I do love to research but I was getting very frustrated.  The list of plants  I wanted kept growing.  If I put  basic information of each plant in an easy to read comparable list I could quickly compile a list of  edible plants for my yard without exhausting myself.

The ability to narrow down my plant search quickly appealed to me.  WHY?  As I stated I have a postage stamp size area that I want to landscape with edibles.  I want the most uses out of every single plant in my landscape.  My goals are to locate plants native to the area,  enrich and beautify the environment, provide food and shelter for birds, beneficial insects and my family.

There are many choices of edible plants. My yard may not provide the requirements needed by certain ones. Neighboring houses are very close and sunlight is an issue in some areas and at certain times of the year.  So a quick glance down a column regarding sun requirements would guide me to plants suitable for the area.  From there I could compare the plants other attributes to my goal and see if it makes it onto the list.

Living in the city I also have to  be cognizant of  the rules.  I would have a meadow in the front yard but the weed police would put a sign in the yard stating I must mow it to the ground and keep it that way.  If I did not comply, the city would mow it and send me a bill.  So the landscaping in the front yard has to be aesthetically pleasing.  Another goal is to encourage others around me to follow suit.  Supplying food for themselves and wildlife while at the same time enriching the environment.  Allowing the earth to continue sustaining life.        Cat