Edible Vegetables With Black or Purple Foliage
Plants with Dark Leaves for Attractive Victory Garden Landscapes
Feb 13, 2009
Gardeners are looking for ways to grow edible foods for their family without giving up beautiful garden designs or attractive landscaping. These dark-colored plants are all edible, allowing for both beauty and use.
'Toscana' Kale
Sometimes called Black Kale or Italian Dark Kale, this cultivar has dark leaves that are highly attractive in the fall garden. Like most kale, 'Toscana' kale (sometimes spelled Tuscany Kale) is easy to grow from seeds that readily germinate in moderate temperatures. Gardeners can choose to harvest the entire plant in as few as two weeks, or just take the outside leaves for kitchen use, while keeping the growing center intact for continued landscape interest. In some mild gardening zones, gardeners can expect their kale to continue growing throughout the winter. Only in the strong heat of summer will kale plants begin to fade.
'St. Victor' Leek
Like most leek plants, these can be sown by seeds directly into the garden April through July. Many gardeners sow consecutive harvests by planting seeds every 4 weeks. These tender biennial vegetables are usually grown as annual plants and as leeks are generally harvested when the stalks about an inch in diameter. Leeks have grass-like leaves that add vertical interest to a mixed bed or border. 'Saint Victor' leek is one type of leek plant that has dark foliage, creating even more interest for the edible landscape. Deep purple, nearly black, leaves are a beautiful addition to any garden, whether a true vegetable or herb garden, or simply added to a sunny garden spot. Leek plants will often self-sow in the garden if flowers are allowed to bloom and dry.
'Abraham Lincoln' Heirloom Tomato
At one time, tomato plants weren't grown for their edible fruit, but rather grown solely as ornamental plants because the tomatoes were thought to be poisonous. Gardeners know better now, of course, but in moving tomatoes to the vegetable plot, they are often no longer included in an attractive mixed garden landscape. The Abe Lincoln tomato is one heirloom tomato variety that defies this transition and, with bronzy toned leaves, encourages gardeners to include it in sunny garden areas. A large fruiting variety, Abraham Lincoln will produce large red tomatoes over a long period beginning in mid-summer. Many gardeners report that the plant will continue to produce tomatoes all the way through the first heavy frost. The bright red tomatoes contrast beautifully against the copper-toned leaves.
'Purple Passion' Asparagus
Like all asparagus plants, 'Purple Passion' asparagus is a perennial vegetable. Purple passion asparagus grows between 4'-5' tall and makes a lovely addition to the back of a perennial border. Gardeners should grow this deep-rooted vegetable in fertile soil with full sun and they will be rewarded with highly attractive, fine-cut foliage. Asparagus leaves are very fern-like and have even been used as filler for ornamental, indoor cut-flower arrangements. The purple asparagus spears turn green when steamed or sauteed, but will remain purple if eaten raw and uncooked.
These dark-leaved plants make beautiful additions to any edible landscaping design, allowing gardeners to have food for their table and color in their garden at the same time.
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