Let’s face it, vegetable patches aren’t always the most aesthetically pleasing. Yes, to a gardeners eye an abundant veggie patch is a thing of beauty, but the accompanying compost piles and dying annual plants can be decidedly less so, especially to a visiting relative or passer-by. For this reason, the humble veggie patch is often relegated to the backyard where it is out of sight. But this does not have to be the case. These stunning plants will make excellent additions for anyone seeking an edible as well as ornamental garden. They are also delicious, long lived, and low maintenance.

Figure 1 Red veined sorrel (Rumex sanguineus).

Figure 2 African Blue Basil (Ocimum gratissimum).

Figure 3 Old man saltbush (Atriplex nummularia).

Figure 4 Pickerel rush (Pontederia cordata).

Figure 5 Cranberry hibiscus (Hibiscus acetosella).

Figure 6 Hibiscus (single petal varieties).

Figure 7 Brazilian spinach (Althernanthera sissoo).

Figure 8 Angular pigface (Carprbrothus glaucescens).

Figure 9 Pepino (Solanum muricatum) with delicate purple flowers, attractive elongated leaves and delicious melon-like fruit.

Figure 10 Native ginger (Alpinia caerulea).

Figure 11 Ginger (Zingiber officinale).

Figure 12 Tumeric (Curcuma longa).

Figure 13 Winged yams (Dioscorea alata).

Figure 14 Lilly pilly (Syzgium species).

Figure 15 Jaboticaba (Myrciaria cauliflora) make wonderful hedges and produce delicious fruit during Summer.

Figure 16 Jaboticaba (Myrciaria cauliflora) in full fruit.