INCREDIBLE edible shrubs

Plant picks that look good in a landscape and provide a tasty treat for you and backyard wildlife

BY NIKI JABBOUR

The longer I garden, the more I appreciate shrubs. These woody, multistemmed plants add year-round interest, provide shelter to wildlife and create privacy. And when you select ones that also have edible fruits, flowers, leaves or nuts, it’s as if you’ve won the botanical lottery. Horticulturist and author Steven Biggs of Food Garden Life grows a wide variety of edible shrubs such as currants, gooseberries, medlars and elderberries in his Toronto garden. “My edible shrubs,” he says, “offer bird habitat, nectar-rich blossoms for pollinators, and reliable annual harvests to eat—or, in the case of elderflower champagne, drink.” SHRUB CONSIDERATIONS Success begins with picking edible species that are best suited for your region. Research or read plant labels to check the shrub’s hardiness zone range. It’s also important to look at the area where you…

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Birds & Blooms (Digital) - 1 Issue, August/September 2024

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