In the ever-evolving world of gardening, a new trend is capturing the hearts and minds of green thumbs everywhere: edimentals. This innovative concept combines the best of both worlds, blending the aesthetic appeal of ornamental plants with the practical benefits of edibles. In this blog post, we will explore what edimentals are, their benefits, and how you can incorporate them into your garden to create a space that is both beautiful and productive.

What are Edimentals?

Edimentals, a portmanteau of "edible" and "ornamental," refer to plants that are both visually appealing and edible. These plants offer the dual benefit of enhancing the garden's beauty while providing food, making them a perfect choice for gardeners looking to maximize the functionality and aesthetics of their outdoor spaces.

Benefits of Edimentals

1. Maximized Garden Space: By combining beauty and utility, edimentals allow you to make the most of your garden space. This is particularly beneficial for small gardens where space is at a premium.
2. Sustainability: Growing your own food reduces the need for store-bought produce, lowering your carbon footprint. Additionally, many edimental plants are low-maintenance and well-suited to local climates, making them an eco-friendly choice.
3. Biodiversity: Edimentals attract a variety of pollinators, beneficial insects, and other wildlife, promoting a healthy and diverse garden ecosystem.
4. Aesthetic Appeal: These plants offer a variety of textures, colours, and forms that enhance the visual appeal of your garden. From vibrant vegetables to fragrant herbs, edimentals add a unique charm to any garden.

Popular Edimental Plants

Here are some popular edimental plants that you can easily incorporate into your garden:

1. Lavender (Lavandula spp.): Known for its beautiful purple flowers and soothing fragrance, lavender is also a culinary herb used in baking and cooking.
2. Rosemary (Rosmarinus officinalis): This hardy herb boasts fragrant, needle-like leaves and delicate blue flowers. It's perfect for cooking and adds a lovely scent to the garden.
3. Globe Artichoke (Cynara scolymus): With its striking, architectural form and edible flower buds, the globe artichoke is both a visual and culinary delight.
4. Purple Coneflower (Echinacea purpurea): Not only is this plant beautiful, but its roots and petals are also used in herbal remedies.
5. Swiss Chard (Beta vulgaris subsp. vulgaris): With its vibrant, multicoloured stems and nutritious leaves, Swiss chard adds a pop of colour and health benefits to your garden.

How to Incorporate Edimentals into Your Garden

1. Mix Edibles with Ornamentals: Plant edimentals alongside your traditional ornamental plants. This can create a visually appealing and productive garden bed.
2. Create Themed Edimental Beds: Designate specific areas of your garden for edimental plants. For example, create a herb garden with lavender, rosemary, and thyme, or a vegetable bed with colourful Swiss chard and artichokes.
3. Vertical Gardening: Utilise trellises and vertical garden structures to grow climbing edimental plants like peas and beans, saving space and adding vertical interest to your garden.
4. Container Gardening: Edimentals are perfect for container gardening. Use pots and planters to grow herbs and vegetables on your patio or balcony.

Edimentals offer a wonderful way to blend beauty and functionality in your garden. By incorporating these versatile plants, you can create a space that is not only visually stunning but also provides fresh, home-grown produce. Whether you have a small urban garden or a sprawling backyard, edimentals are a fantastic addition that will bring joy and utility to your gardening efforts.

Start exploring the world of edimentals today and transform your garden into a vibrant, productive oasis! At Nomadic Home & Garden Pty Ltd, we provide a wide range of wholesale plants, including many edimentals, to help you create the garden of your dreams.