Buzz
Garden plants are categorized into two types: annuals, which last for a single growing season, and perennials, which return annually. While most vegetables like carrots and tomatoes are annuals, there’s a wide array of perennial crops you can cultivate for long-term harvests.
Creating a perennial food forest—a sustainable source of homegrown produce—is a hallmark of a dedicated gardener. Below, I’ve listed the best edible perennial plants to incorporate into your garden. (Note: Plant hardiness varies by USDA zones. For example, artichokes may be grown as annuals in colder climates. Consult your local garden center to determine which perennials will thrive in your area.)
Berries are a must-have
Most berry plants, such as strawberries (in most regions), are perennials. By planting a mix of June-bearing (which fruit in June) and ever-bearing (which fruit throughout the summer) strawberries, you can enjoy a continuous berry harvest all summer. Beyond strawberries, blueberries are exceptional shrubs that grow well in full sun or partial shade and are relatively low-maintenance. With hundreds of varieties available, planting early, mid, and late-season types ensures a steady supply of blueberries from June through August.
Many other berries thrive on bushes, including currants, goji berries, thimbleberries, gooseberries, honeyberries, salmonberries, and huckleberries. Elderberries, for instance, grow on shrubs that can soar up to 30 feet tall in just a few years. Cane-based berries like raspberries, blackberries, boysenberries, marionberries, loganberries, and tayberries also flourish. These plants require support, such as a trellis, and can spread rapidly, though with proper care, they can be managed effectively.
Fruit and nut trees
Apple and pear trees, when well-maintained, can produce fruit for generations. Stone fruits like apricots, peaches, cherries, and nectarines also offer long-term harvests. A fig tree is a must-have in any garden, though, like elderberries, they can grow quite large if not pruned regularly.
Each type of fruit tree comes in numerous varieties, offering differences in flavor and harvest times. Nut trees, such as almonds, walnuts, pecans, and filberts, also provide variety and can create a shaded canopy, benefiting shade-loving plants in your garden.
Asparagus
Asparagus is a captivating vegetable typically grown from roots planted in trenches. Each spring, it produces the familiar shoots we enjoy. (While it’s possible to grow asparagus from seeds, it takes several years before the spears are harvest-ready, which is why most gardeners opt for crowns.) Witnessing my asparagus bed reemerge every April is a joy; these hardy plants can thrive for 15 to 20 years, providing a reliable harvest season after season.
Rhubarb
Rhubarb is a unique plant valued for its stalks rather than its leaves or fruit. It grows from rhizomes and produces green-red stalks, though blanching them early can yield the coveted cherry-red color. Harvestable from spring to early fall, rhubarb spreads slowly and thrives in shaded areas, such as under trees, where limited sunlight enhances its vibrant red hue.
Horseradish
Unlike rhubarb, horseradish grows as a taproot and spreads rapidly through an underground network. Each spring, it produces tall green leaves that are also edible. You can dig up and harvest the roots at any time. Fresh horseradish is a treat since it loses its pungency immediately after cutting. You can even replant a portion of the root, which will grow into new plants. Like rhubarb, horseradish thrives in shaded understory areas.
Artichokes
I’ve always dreamed of having a garden filled with artichokes, and now that I do, it’s everything I hoped for. Artichokes remain dormant through winter but burst to life in early spring, growing up to seven feet tall with striking silver-grey leaves. Shoots emerge, each crowned with an artichoke. The first artichoke is the largest, with subsequent ones being smaller. Unpicked artichokes bloom into stunning purple flowers that attract bees, making them an excellent border plant when grouped together.
Fennel
Fennel is nearly indestructible—I’ve tried! It’s also incompatible with other plants, as it inhibits their growth. It spreads easily via a taproot, making it somewhat invasive. So why grow it? Fresh fennel is delightful, and when it goes to seed, it produces vibrant yellow pollen perfect for cooking and saving seeds. Additionally, bees are highly attracted to fennel.
Egyptian walking onions
Walking onions are one of the most fascinating vegetables. They grow a single green stalk from the bulb in the soil, topped with three small onions that dangle in the air. Once heavy enough, they cause the stalk to bend, planting themselves into the soil to start anew—hence their “walking” nature. You can harvest either the underground bulb or the aerial onions. (I give my walking onions extra space because their unique structure keeps me entertained while waiting for other plants to sprout or fruit in late May to early June.)
Saffron
Saffron comes from the red stamens of crocus flowers. You can plant crocus bulbs, enjoy their blooms, and harvest the stamens for your own saffron supply. It’s best to plant them in accessible areas, like planting boxes, so you don’t miss the opportunity to harvest these precious threads.
Herbs
Perennial herbs are essential for any garden, offering year-round growth as hardy shrubs. Varieties like bay leaves, rosemary, lavender, sage, mint, and thyme thrive effortlessly. Some herbs, such as parsley and dill, can even become self-seeding perennials with consistent planting in the same spot over several years and a bit of luck.
Ramps
A newer trend is the availability of ethically sourced ramp bulbs for home gardening (often found on platforms like Etsy). With proper care, you can cultivate a perennial ramp patch. Ramps thrive in dappled light and moist conditions, making them ideal companions for mushrooms.
Mushrooms
Mushrooms can be cultivated in various ways, such as in buckets, on logs, or by spreading spawn on wood-chipped pathways. Growing mushrooms is not only economical but also magical, as you can discover fresh shiitakes or wine cap mushrooms in your yard. They require dappled light, making them perfect for understory planting.
Other plants that may perennialize
Certain edible plants can become perennials by entering a self-seeding cycle. For example, leaving small potatoes or sweet potatoes in the ground during harvest can lead to regrowth in spring. Radicchio often returns annually, and onions may perennialize if allowed to go to seed, as might celery. However, I’ve found less success with broccoli varieties that are said to regrow yearly.
