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| Chickasaw plum fruit (Prunus angustifolia) |
The interest in growing native plants and growing
edible plants has a happy intersection point when you can grow both at
the same time. I think the poster plant for this movement is blueberry
(Vaccinium), a sun-loving native shrub that is widely
cultivated for its fruit. With an open, sunny area that gets 5-6 hours
of sun and has room for two bushes, almost anyone can grow this
delicious fruit.
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| Blueberry fruit in my yard |
I’ve written several blog posts about native edibles but they were not comprehensive. Someone suggested a straight list of plants to consider so here goes:
Fruits
- Blueberries (Vaccinium sp.) – full sun shrub, need two or more that are not identical. Read more here.
- Huckleberries (Gaylussacia) – part sun shrub, better fruit set with two or more.
- Raspberries and blackberries (Rubus) – full sun prickly shrub that suckers, better fruit set with two or more. Watch out for non-native species.
- Strawberry (Fragaria virginiana) – groundcover plant in full sun to part shade.
- Elderberry (Sambucus canadensis) – full sun large shrub that prefers good moisture.
- Plums (Prunus) – full to part sun large shrub or small tree.
- Paw Paw (Asimina triloba) – part sun tree that suckers, need two more that are not identical.
- Hawthorn, especially mayhaw (Crataegus aestivalis) – full to part sun tree.
- Serviceberry (Amelanchier) – full sun tree.
- Persimmon (Diospyros virginiana) – part sun tree.
- Crabapple (Malus angustifolia) – full sun tree.
- Red mulberry (Morus rubra) – full to part sun tree.
- Grapes (Vitis sp. and Muscadinia rotundifolia) – vines that may need to be managed to stay compact or on specific structures.
- Viburnum – native shrub species in full or part shade, research carefully which ones are best.
- Beautyberry (Callicarpa americana) – full sun shrub with fruits that can be used for jams/jellies.
- Black chokeberry (Aronia melanocarpa) – large full to part sun shrub with edible fruits.
- Prickly pear cactus (Opuntia humifusa) – prickly perennial with edible fruits.
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| Prickly pear cactus (Opuntia humifusa) |
Nuts
- Hickory (Carya spp. except for bitternut hickory) – large trees with sweet nuts.
- Pecan (Carya illinoinensis) – large tree with sweet nuts.
- Oaks (Quercus) – large trees with nuts that can be used for flour and other products. More ideas here.
- Walnut and butternut (Juglans) – large trees with edible nuts.
- American hazelnut (Corylus americana) – small tree or large suckering shrub.
- Chestnut (Castanea) – native trees that can produce nuts when not affected by blight.
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| American hazelnut (Corylus americana) |
Herbs
- Beebalm and wild bergamot (Monarda) – full sun and part shade herbs with aromatic foliage for herbal tea.
- Onion (Allium canadense and cernuum) – herb used like chives (bulb is not large)
- Mountain mint (Pycnanthemum) – full sun herb with aromatic foliage.
- Violet (Viola sororia) – wildflower with edible flowers.
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| Common violet (Viola sororia) |
Assorted edible roots/tubers
- Groundnut (Apios americana)
- Sunchoke (Helianthus tuberosus)
- Wild sweet potato (Ipomoea pandurata)
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| Groundnut (Apios americana) |
This is by no means a comprehensive list but rather a collection of some of the most common native plants when it comes to human consumption. Be sure to leave some food for the animals!
Here are a few useful links that I came across while researching this post:
Edible Plants in North Georgia
