This is a free preview of a paid episode. To hear more, visit www.brunettegardens.com
Those of you who’ve been following us for a while know I love garden plants with “stacked functions.” This permaculture phrase basically means “plants that multitask.” They have more than one use; for example, native violets are a pretty, soil-stabilizing ground cover, a host plant for fritillary butterflies, and they’re edible. Similarly, maypop and persimmon, both native to North America, are:
Easy to grow, as they’re right where they’ve evolved as a plant species and need no extra care
Important food sources for native insects and animals
Edible, nutritious, and medicinal for humans
A source for other human-use products, such as wood
With all of the above, maypop and persimmon more than earn their place in your garden, and I recommend planting them this fall. Here’s what you need to know.