Edible Landscaping Hardy Plants for Southeastern Virginia

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1 Edible Landscaping Hardy Plants for Southeastern Virginia Southeastern Virginia, with its hot and humid climate, can be a very difficult place to grow traditional fruit crops, like apples, peaches, pears, plums, and cherries, for example. It is not impossible, and many dedicated gardeners are successful. Some of these avid growers rely on regular applications of chemical pesticides in order to control insects and diseases, while others have had some success gardening organically. Either way, it can be a lot of work. However, there are plenty of hardy trees and shrubs that bear edible fruit, and that are also well adapted to the climate here in Hampton Roads. These need minimal care beyond planting them in the right location, giving them the right soil and light, and keeping them watered. A good number of these are also quite attractive in their own right and can be planted among your other trees and shrubs, enhancing your landscape, as well as providing something good to eat. Shrubs Pineapple Guava (Acca sellowiana) tall and wide full sun in well-drained soil, drought tolerant once established showy late spring flowers are white with red stamens 1-3 oblong fruit ripens in summer, sweet, reminiscent of Juicy Fruit gum - fruit is ripe when it falls from the shrub, harvest from the ground - best eaten fresh, but can also be used for juices, jams, and chutneys best pollination when more than 1 is planted Strawberry Tree (Arbutus unedo Compacta ) 6 tall and wide, or more full sun to fair amount of shade, drought tolerant white flowers in late fall, early winter fruit ripens from last year s flowers at the same time of year, so flowers and fruit simultaneously edible, but somewhat mealy and unexciting typically made into liquor in Mediterranean countries self-fertile evergreen foliage, and beautiful bark

2 Black Chokeberry (Aronia melanocarpa) there are several species of chokeberry, but this one is the least choking - native 3-6 tall and wide full sun to partial shade in moist well drained soil, but tolerant of adversity, including wetter soils attractive white flower clusters in May dark purple fruits ripen in autumn inedible fresh, and best used for drinks, jams, and jellies fruit has a very high level of antioxidants attracts birds self-fertile Garden Asparagus (Asparagus officinalis) 3-4 tall by half as wide full sun in well drained sandy soil fresh spears are harvested in spring beautiful fern-like foliage - attractive red fruits in fall on female plants male plants are preferred for production technically a perennial - best to purchase crowns, not seed - pollination is not an issue Tea Camellia (Camellia sinensis) tall by half as wide - does well here, but rare to see full size in S.E. Virginia partial shade is best, but they are tolerant, moist well drained soil white flowers in late summer, early fall evergreen foliage is used to make tea pollination is not an issue American Hazelnut (Corylus americana) tall by less in width blooms in late winter to early spring nuts ripen in late summer self-pollinating, but two or more will provide more nuts American Plum (Prunus americana) tall and wide, shrub full sun in well-drained soil, drought tolerant white flowers in March small red plums in early summer best used for jams, jellies, and baking attractive fall foliage

3 Pomegranate (Punica granatum) 6-20 tall by less in width, size depends on variety full sun in moist well drained soil, drought and heat tolerant gorgeous orange flowers in summer large orange fruits in fall yellow fall foliage, some varieties are strictly ornamental self-pollinating, but more than one boosts fruit production American Black Elderberry (Sambucus canadensis) 5-12 tall and wide prefers full to partial sun in moist well drained soil, tolerant of wet soils clusters of white flowers in early summer attractive to butterflies dark purpleblack fruit in late summer attractive to birds and other wildlife self-pollinating, but more than one boosts fruit production can be used for jams and jellies, wine, juices, or for baking not that good eaten fresh Rabbiteye Hybrid Blueberries (Vaccinium ashei and other hybrids) species and hybrids 6 tall and wide prefers full to partial sun in moist well drained soil pinkish white flowers in late winter or early spring blue fruit in early summer easy to grow need to plant at least 2 different varieties for pollination Vines and Brambles Kiwi (Actinidia species) vines can grow up to 20 full sun is best, but tolerant of light shade moist well drained soil white flowers in late spring fruit ripens in summer Actinidia chinensis is the species seen in grocery stores, and we are at the northern end of their hardiness range several other species are more cold tolerant, but fruit is slightly different with one or two exceptions, all kiwis need one male vine to pollinate up to 8 females attractive foliage, some species are variegated Hops (Humulus lupulus) tall perennial vine cut to ground in late fall prefers full to partial sun in moist well drained soil, drought tolerant once established can be vigorous and needs sturdy support flowers in summer fruit ripens in fall for late fall harvest need male vines to pollinate females

4 Blackberries and Raspberries (Rubus) up to 8, but size varies by selection, some dwarf varieties best fruit production in full sun, but can take a little shade moist well drained soil white flowers in mid to late spring fruit follows in summer plants are perennial, but each individual cane lives 2 years first year typically just foliage, second year flowers and fruit, then remove cane look for thornless varieties self-pollinating Muscadine Grapes (Vitus rotundifolia) our native grape can grow up to 100, but that is not common, needs sturdy support full sun is best, but tolerant of shade moist well drained soil tolerant of heat, humidity, and the occasional drought fruit ripens in fall many varieties, can be bronze or burgundy some self-pollinating varieties, but others must have male present to pollinate female attractive foliage can provide needed summer shade, good yellow fall color The Mother Vine on Roanoke Island is nearly 5 centuries old Trees Serviceberry (Amelanchier grandiflora 'Autumn Brilliance') there are several species of serviceberry, but Autumn Brilliance is the most readily available, native hybrid tall and wide, can be shrubby or tree-like, tolerant of different soil types showy white flowers in early spring red fruit turns a dark purple when ripe, very sweet can be eaten fresh, used in pies, jams, and jellies birds love them self-fertile, but greater production when more are planted Pawpaw (Asimina triloba) tall and wide full sun to partial shade in moist well drained soil, tolerant of wet soil chocolate colored flowers in mid-spring oblong fruit ripens in late summer, sweet banana-like flavor and custardy texture, best eaten fresh, but can be used in baked goods, or in ice cream need two or more for best pollination, from 2 different sources is ideal yellow fall foliage

5 Pecan (Carya illinoinensis) North American native tall by less in width full sun in moist well drained soil spring flowers are not terribly showy - nuts ripen in the fall plant two different varieties for best production fall color can be nice, trees can be somewhat messy Hickory (Carya species) several different native species up to 100 tall depending on species prefers full to partial sun in moist well drained soil spring flowers are not terribly showy - nuts ripen in the fall fantastic fall color Common Persimmon (Diospyros virginiana) tall by wide full sun to partial shade in moist well drained soil, however they are very tolerant of a wide range of conditions, including salt insignificant flowers produce rounded orange fruits in late fall, not edible until after the first freeze can be eaten fresh, used in baked goods, made into puddings, or brewed into beer female trees need a nearby male for pollination unusual bark, and attractive fall foliage Japanese Persimmon (Diospyros kaki) tall by less in width, size varies by variety, dwarf forms available insignificant flowers produce large orange fruit in the fall, much larger than our native persimmon fruits can either be astringent or non-astringent some varieties are reliably self-fruitful, while others need cross pollination, especially with ripening fruit Common Fig (Ficus carica) tall and wide, more shrub than tree full sun to partial shade in moist well drained soil fruit ripens in summer, some varieties my produce a breba crop earlier in the season Brown Turkey, Alma, Celeste, and LSU Purple are good varieties for this climate beautiful tropical-like foliage

6 Eastern Black Walnut (Juglans nigra) tall and wide needs full sun in moist well drained soil late spring, early summer flowers are not showy nuts ripen in fall when husks drop to the ground can be self-pollinating, but better production when other trees are nearby decent fall foliage beware of juglone and its effects on other plants Red Mulberry (Morus rubra) full sun to partial shade in moist well drained soil flowers in late winter to early spring red fruit ripens in summer, and is often considered messy unripe fruit and foliage can have low toxicity good eaten fresh, in jams and jellies, baked, or juiced for wine nice fall foliage Morus alba invasive Hardy Herbs Chives (Allium schoenoprasum) tall and wide flowers in mid spring attractive grass like foliage flowers and foliage are both edible onion relative keep deadheaded to prevent unwanted spreading, especially with garlic chives (Allium tuberosum) French Tarragon (Artemisia dracunculus var. sativa) tall by slightly less in width full sun in well-drained soil, drought tolerant, not tolerant of soggy soil insignificant flowers, foliage can be used fresh or dried Fennel (Foeniculum vulgare) can reach up to 6, or possibly more full sun in moist well drained soil bright yellow flowers in summer - beautiful fern-like foliage bronze forms available keep deadhead to prevent proliferation attractive to butterflies Mint (Mentha species) many varieties with different growth habits and sizes flowers in summer foliage may be used fresh or dried best kept in containers, both in and out of the garden, most are aggressive spreaders

7 Oregano (Origanum vulgare) 1-3 tall by slightly less in width size varies by variety full sun in well-drained soil, drought tolerant pink to white flowers in summer to fall foliage can be used fresh or dried Rosemary (Rosmarinus officinalis) 1-6 tall, but size and habit vary by variety full sun, must have well drained soil, intolerant of soggy soil, very drought tolerant blue flowers sporadically from winter into summer, evergreen foliage can be used fresh or dried shrubby Sage (Salvia officinalis) 1-2 tall by slightly wider, size varies by variety full sun in well drained soil, must have good drainage pinkish blooms in early summer, foliage can be used fresh or dried Thyme (Thymus species) size varies by selection, some are ground hugging, others slightly taller full sun in well drained soil, must have good drainage white to pink flowers, depending on variety, spring to summer foliage can be used fresh or dried makes a good groundcover Les Parks Director of Horticulture Norfolk Botanical Garden 6700 Azalea Garden Rd. Norfolk, VA les.parks@nbgs.org