Useful plants with ornamental possibilities
Jun 6, 2009 21:35:44 GMT
Post by bixaorellana on Jun 6, 2009 21:35:44 GMT
I posted this picture in the "On the Menu" thread about okra,
and Annie commented on the beauty of the okra flower.
The picture also shows the pretty & useful nasturtium.
Her comment made me think about how okra has several relatives that are ornamental as well as useful. Since few of us have the space we'd like for planting, why not intersperse these attractive workhorses in with the fancy thoroughbreds? I have the lovely Hibiscus sabdarifa (roselle or jamaica) growing and its richly colored flowers rival any named hibiscus.
And look at its many uses!
It might even be fun to grow a few cotton plants, whose flowers resemble those of okra, just to how where our clothes start out.
The wild mallows offer several possibilities in different sizes that will fit easily into a garden scheme, although check as to how invasive a particular variety might be in your area.
Even the use of ornamental hibiscus:
could be justified, since most have some traditional medicinal uses.
And except for the glancing mention of nastutium, all of the above is from just one family. There are so many other possibilities. Take the herbs ~~ tall, airy dill can be beautiful tucked in with ornamentals. Basil makes a bushy low hedge that's a delight to brush against. Some of the more lax mints and rosemarys are great in hanging baskets. Calendula is obviously both pretty and useful.
Never mind the ornamental varieties -- what about the quirky surprise of a big round cabbage in the flower garden? Certainly in the early garden, the softly green leaves of lettuce could do double duty.
Those are just a few ideas. I know everyone has some favorites to propose.
and Annie commented on the beauty of the okra flower.
The picture also shows the pretty & useful nasturtium.
Her comment made me think about how okra has several relatives that are ornamental as well as useful. Since few of us have the space we'd like for planting, why not intersperse these attractive workhorses in with the fancy thoroughbreds? I have the lovely Hibiscus sabdarifa (roselle or jamaica) growing and its richly colored flowers rival any named hibiscus.
And look at its many uses!
It might even be fun to grow a few cotton plants, whose flowers resemble those of okra, just to how where our clothes start out.
The wild mallows offer several possibilities in different sizes that will fit easily into a garden scheme, although check as to how invasive a particular variety might be in your area.
Even the use of ornamental hibiscus:
could be justified, since most have some traditional medicinal uses.
And except for the glancing mention of nastutium, all of the above is from just one family. There are so many other possibilities. Take the herbs ~~ tall, airy dill can be beautiful tucked in with ornamentals. Basil makes a bushy low hedge that's a delight to brush against. Some of the more lax mints and rosemarys are great in hanging baskets. Calendula is obviously both pretty and useful.
Never mind the ornamental varieties -- what about the quirky surprise of a big round cabbage in the flower garden? Certainly in the early garden, the softly green leaves of lettuce could do double duty.
Those are just a few ideas. I know everyone has some favorites to propose.