Companion Plants | 5 Great Garden Ornamental and Edible Plant Combinations

When used as companion plants, edible and ornamental plants grow beautifully alongside each other and make interesting container gardens, arrangements and traditional garden beds. Pairing your favorite fruits and veggies with your favorite blossoms and blooms is a great way to grow and enjoy all of the plants you love together, while enjoying the benefits of pollination.

If you don’t have favorite plants in mind, consider experimenting with complementary color schemes and combinations or adding showy flowers that will attract bees. There are very few rules when it comes to creating great garden combinations, so go ahead and let your imagination run wild.

5 Great Garden Combinations of Edible and Ornamental Plants

1. Dark purple eggplant (edible) grows nicely with purple and green variegated Coleus (non-edible) 2. Chives, Scallions and Nasturtium (all edibles) make a whimsical combination of shades of green, yellows and orange. Although Nasturtium are generally planted as an ornamental in flower gardens, they are edible and serve as a vibrant yet delicate garnish. 3. Greens such as spinach, lettuce and Swiss chard grow fast and are harvested sooner than other veggies. These edibles are great for use as pot fillers around existing ornamental plants or in bare areas of newly planted gardens. 4. Climbing plants and vines such as beans (edible) and morning glory (non-edible) will twine around each other and create a wall of blooms and pods that compete for sunlight and your attention. 5. Pumpkins (edible), summer squash, and zucchini planted along with marigolds and Black Eyed Susan(non-edible) are ready to enjoy add a punch of orange color just in time for the fall harvest. Or try planting them in a whiskey barrel next to petunias. Combinations of edible and non-edible plants are endless, so have fun and experiment with finding companion plants that work well together. One word of caution, though — be sure to check to see if any of the ornamental plants on your list of favorites are toxic and avoid those that are. Better safe than sorry!