by Erin Harper, University of Illinois Extension There are several native plants that are great for landscaping and can provide food. These include nuts from trees such as maple, pecan, and hazelnuts; fruits such as ground cherry, persimmon, and plums; berries: blackberries, raspberries, and elderberry; leafy greens; roots: chicory, garlic, and sassafras; and many more. […]
Native Species
Edible (Native) Landscaping – Persimmon
by Erin Harper, University of Illinois Extension Persimmon (Diospyros virginia) are Native to most of the eastern United States, from Connecticut south Florida and west to mid-Kansas. There is a non-native species (Diospyros kaki), native to Asia, which has been widely used in breeding and production in the United States. D. kaki has larger sweeter […]
Edible (Native) Landscaping – Serviceberry
by Erin Harper, University of Illinois Extension Serviceberries, also known at Juneberries or Saskatoon, are native to Illinois and many of our neighboring states. There are several different varieties of serviceberry with variations in height, fruit ripening time, and fall color. The Downy Serviceberry (Amelanchier arborea) is a large shrub or small tree which reaches […]
Edible (Native) Landscaping – Strawberries
by Erin Harper, University of Illinois Extension Strawberries can make an excellent groundcover for your planting beds. The plants get 8 to 10 inches tall and are just a beautiful shade of green which is lighter than most plants used as a ground cover. There are two types, Junebearing and everbearing. Junebearing plants typically produce […]
Edible (Native) Landscaping – American Hazelnut
by Erin Harper, University of Illinois Extension American Hazelnut (Corylus americana) are native eastern United States and Canada, from Manitoba south to Oklahoma and east to the coast (excluding only Florida). Corylus Americana prefers well-drained loam soils in full sun. However, like many of the native trees and shrubs, are tolerant of a wide range […]
Edible (Native) Landscaping: Dandelion
by Erin Harper, University of Illinois Extension Dandelions (Taraxacum officinale) originate from Europe but have been naturalized in North America. Many people regard them as a lawn weed, though their culinary popularity is growing. Dandelions are a perennial plant that produces thousands of seeds per plant and can regrow from pieces of taproot. It is […]
