Why choose between a beautiful garden and a bountiful harvest when you can have both? Edible ornamental plants blur the line between aesthetics and practicality, offering vibrant colors, unique textures, and delicious flavors all in one package. These plants are perfect for gardeners who love to decorate their outdoor spaces with lush, eye-catching greenery while also enjoying fresh, homegrown produce. Whether you have a sprawling garden or a cozy balcony, these 10 stunning edible ornamental plants will elevate your outdoor haven and your kitchen.
1. Nasturtiums (Tropaeolum majus)
Nasturtiums are a must-have for edible ornamental gardens, known for their vivid flowers in shades of red, orange, and yellow. Beyond their cheerful appearance, both the leaves and blossoms are edible, adding a peppery, slightly spicy kick to salads, pastas, and sandwiches. Their cascading growth makes them ideal for hanging baskets and borders. Nasturtiums are also beneficial companion plants, repelling aphids and other pests while attracting pollinators to your garden.
2. Rainbow Swiss Chard (Beta vulgaris subsp. cicla)
This leafy green isn’t just nutritious it’s also a visual stunner. Rainbow Swiss Chard features crinkled green leaves paired with vibrant stalks in hues of red, yellow, orange, and pink. It’s a hardy, fast-growing plant that brings structure and color to flower beds and vegetable patches alike. The leaves can be sautéed or added to soups and stir-fries, while the colorful stems make an eye-catching garnish for savory dishes.
3. Purple Basil (Ocimum basilicum ‘Purpurascens’)
Purple Basil is a gorgeous twist on the classic green herb. Its deep purple leaves bring a rich, dramatic touch to herb gardens, borders, and container arrangements. Not only is it highly aromatic, but it also adds a slightly spicier flavor compared to its green counterpart, making it perfect for pestos, marinades, and fresh garnishes. The tiny purple flowers attract bees and beneficial insects, making your garden healthier and more vibrant.
4. Calendula (Calendula officinalis)
Known as the “pot marigold,” Calendula is prized for its bright orange and yellow flowers that bloom all season long. The petals are edible and often used to add a subtle peppery flavor and a splash of color to salads, soups, and teas. Beyond its culinary use, Calendula also boasts medicinal properties and serves as a natural pest deterrent in the garden. Its long-lasting blooms make it an ornamental favorite as well.
5. Scarlet Runner Beans (Phaseolus coccineus)
With striking red flowers and fast-growing vines, Scarlet Runner Beans are as beautiful as they are productive. The blossoms attract hummingbirds and butterflies, while the tender young pods are edible and delicious. You can also let the pods mature and harvest the beans for soups and stews. Perfect for trellises, fences, and arbors, this plant adds vertical interest and seasonal color to any edible ornamental garden.
6. Blueberry Bush (Vaccinium spp.)
Blueberries offer year-round visual appeal with white spring flowers, glossy green summer foliage, juicy blue berries, and crimson autumn leaves. These compact shrubs are perfect for borders, container gardens, and edible hedges. Not only do they produce sweet, antioxidant-rich fruit, but their seasonal transformations add dynamic color and texture to your landscape. Plant several varieties for a continuous harvest and improved cross-pollination.
7. Ornamental Kale (Brassica oleracea var. acephala)
Ornamental Kale is a cold-hardy plant admired for its frilly, colorful leaves in shades of green, purple, and pink. While often grown for decorative purposes, it’s entirely edible and has a slightly milder flavor than regular kale when harvested young. This plant looks stunning in flower beds, containers, and as a cool-season ground cover. Its bold colors intensify in colder weather, making it a showpiece for fall and winter gardens.
8. Pineapple Sage (Salvia elegans)
Pineapple Sage boasts bright red, tubular flowers and aromatic, light green leaves with a fruity, pineapple-like scent. The leaves can be used in teas, salads, or desserts, while the nectar-rich flowers attract hummingbirds and butterflies. This plant’s vibrant blooms make it a standout in mixed borders and herb gardens, especially in late summer when other flowers start to fade. It’s an edible ornamental that’s both delicious and beneficial for pollinators.
9. Daylilies (Hemerocallis spp.)
Daylilies are beloved for their vibrant, trumpet-shaped blooms that open for just a single day, offering bold splashes of color throughout summer. Lesser known is that many parts of the plant, including the buds and flowers, are edible. They add a slightly sweet, crunchy texture to salads and can even be stuffed or stir-fried. Their hardy nature and striking blooms make them a perfect addition to both ornamental borders and edible landscapes.
10. Fennel (Foeniculum vulgare)
Fennel is an attractive, feathery herb with aromatic leaves and striking yellow flower clusters. Its delicate, anise-flavored leaves and seeds are perfect for seasoning fish, salads, and baked goods. The plant’s graceful texture softens flower beds and borders while attracting beneficial insects like ladybugs and hoverflies. It’s also a favorite host plant for swallowtail butterfly caterpillars. Fennel’s ornamental and culinary qualities make it an ideal dual-purpose addition to any garden.