There are many reasons why you might want to get some perennial plants for your property. Not only do they provide something beautiful to look at, but they also produce oxygen for us to breathe and consume carbon dioxide in the air to purify the atmosphere.
What’s more, a great number of trees and shrubs actually produce edible fruits, nuts and more for us to enjoy. These items are typically very nutritious, not to mention tasty!
Here are six of the most popular species of plants that you might want to consider buying for your own yummy yield.
1) Apple
Who doesn’t love apples? They are juicy, crisp and sweet fruits that can enhance everything from sweet pies to savory pork dishes. There are many different varieties of apples, from the classic red Macintosh to tart green Granny Smiths, so you have a lot to choose from in terms of what will work best in your climate and which varieties you prefer.
2) Almond
Almond trees are less popular than apples, but they are also very versatile and can be used for everything from eating plain to making marzipan paste and trail mixes. Almond oil is also extremely healthy (it contains both antioxidants and is a good source of protein) and can be used to flavor food or to put in homemade beauty products.
Almonds originated in northern Africa and western Asia, so they do best in zones 6 through 10 (warmer climates).
3) Strawberry
Strawberry plants are a shrub rather than a tree, but they are native to America and are actually grown in every U.S. state. This sweet delight is unique in that it’s the only fruit that has its seeds on the outside. You can make a lot of things from strawberries, varying from jellies and jams to pies and shortcakes.
It should be fairly easy to find a plant that produces fruit in the size and look you want that will perform in your climate.
4) Blueberry
Blueberries grow on a bush, and they are another native American plant. They are one of the healthiest berries available, as they have high concentrations of vitamin C, fiber, manganese and antioxidants. The blueberry is related to the cranberry, another berry with lots of beneficial attributes.
You can typically grow some sort of blueberry bushes in climates from zone 4b to 9a, although most varieties thrive in areas that tend toward colder winters.
5) Maple
Maple trees are the true workhorses of the flora world. In the summer, they unfurl their leaves to provide shade. In the fall, their leaves turn gorgeous hues of red and orange. In early spring, you can even tap their trunks to make tasty, natural maple syrup! Maple trees like cooler climates, but some species can also thrive up to zone 9.
6) Grapes
Grapes grow on vines, so you can train them along trellises, up walls, on fences – you name it. Once this prolific plant starts fruiting, you can make everything from raisins to jelly and wine.
Kelly lives on a large, rural property with her family, with plenty of room for fruit trees and other harvest-yielding plants. When she learned she could buy Willis Orchards fruit trees or plants from other nurseries, like Gurney’s Seed and Nursery Co., she was delighted with the ease of purchasing online. She thinks other families will enjoy their trees and shrubs for years and even generations to come.