9. Downy Serviceberry (Amelanchier canadensis)
This downy serviceberry is a small tree with both delicate white flowers and edible berries. It grows up to 15–25 feet in height and 15–25 feet in spread at maturity.
In early to mid-spring, it boasts a profusion of 5-petaled, slightly fragrant, white flowers that appear before the leaves emerge. Pollinators love these flowers, which turn into small, tasty, dark purplish-black berries in the summer. Resembling blueberries in color and size, they taste like highbush blueberries and can be used in pies and jellies.
Also called juneberry, shadbush, sugar plum, or Saskatoon, this beautiful edible plant produces a flash of fall color once the summer ends and can thrive in a wide variety of soils and sites.
10. Chives
Chives are a perennial, grasslike herb with charming lilac blooms and a delicious, oniony flavor. They usually grow in clumps and tend to become overcrowded, which means you may want to thin them regularly.
Growing these beautiful edible plants near tomatoes, peppers, and other vegetables can help keep aphids and other pests at bay. Moreover, chives are said to improve the flavor of tomatoes and carrots when grown nearby.
To enjoy both a good harvest and the flowers, consider trimming half of the shoots to stimulate tender regrowth while allowing the other half to flower. Here are some of the most comfortable gardening gloves we’ve tried so far!
The most common way to consume chives is to finely slice them into small ringlets and sprinkle them on dishes as a garnish.
