HO-190
Fruits and Nuts for Edible Landscaping
HOME YARD & GARDEN • COOPERATIVE EXTENSION SERVICE
DEPARTMENT OF HORTICULTURE • PURDUE UNIVERSITY *WEST LAFAYETTE, IN
Michael N. Dana
Landscaping with plants which are both attractive and food producing is gaining in popularity. However, selecting fruit- and nut-producing plants for an “edible landscape” is complicated by the added concern for productivity. Characteristics of size, form, and site suitability are no less important than ever, but in addition the designer must consider total potential yield and its sustainability, fruit set, pest resistance or control, microclimate adaptation, and fruit quality. As with any landscape design process, the ultimate goals should be the definition of space and the enhancement of land for human use. Using productive plants to reach these goals is no small challenge.
Landscape Characteristics
Productive plants are no different from their ornamental counterparts in that they may be classified by size, notable visual characteristics, and potential function in landscape planting. Available fruit plants range in size from the 12-inch tall strawberry to the 60-foot tall black walnut and shagbark hickory. Their growth habits range from the ground covering of the strawberry to the climbing of the grape, from the compact shrubbiness of the gooseberry to the picturesque irregular form of the gnarled old apple. Interesting winter bark texture is found on hickory, persimmon, and some cherries. Figures 1, 2, and 3 classify productive plants according to size, landscape value, and potential use for special landscape effects.
Potential Yield
A truly productive landscape yields quantities of produce appropriate to meet the needs of the consumer continuously throughout the growing season. Factors involved in achieving this goal include potential yield of the various crops and the season of production.
Annual yield or production in each year must be considered. Table 1 indicates average expectable yields from fruit and nut crops in addition to life span and typical time to bearing
•	Vine: Grape
•	Low-ground cover: Strawberry
•	Shrub or bush from 3-8 feet in height: Blackberry (erect), blueberry, currant, elderberry, gooseberry, quince, raspberry (all), serviceberry.
•	Large shrub or small tree 8-15 feet: Apples (on selected rootstocks), apricot, cherry (tart), filbert, pawpaw, peach, plum (European), quince, service-berry.
•	Tree 15-30 feet: Apple, cherry, crabapple, pear, serviceberry.
•	Tree over 30 feet in height: Butternut, chestnut (Chinese), hickory, persimmon, walnut (black), walnut (Persian).

Figure 1. Fruit plants classified according to approximate size.
•	Attractive blossom display: Apple, apricot, cherries (all), crabapple, peach, pear, plums (all), quince, serviceberry.
•	Attractive fall foliage display: Blueberry, crabapple, persimmon, serviceberry.
•	Food source for wildlife: Blueberry, cherries (all), crabapple, raspberry (black), serviceberry, strawberry, nut trees.

Figure 2. Fruit plants classified according to interesting landscape value.
•	Covering arbors, pergolas, or other garden structures: All grape types.
•	Training into special forms or espaliers (candela-bras, Belgian fences, etc.): Apple (dwarf), crab-apple, peach, pear (dwarf).
•	Growing in containers for patios and decks (Winter protection is necessary for container to avoid root freezing.): Apple (dwarf), blueberry, crabapple, currant, gooseberry, peach (dwarf), pear (dwarf), strawberry.

Figure 3. Fruit plants classified according to their potential for special uses.
Adapted from "Fruit in the Yard," by Malcolm N. Dana, Department of Horticulture, University of Wisconsin.