Theme gardens

[Luna]

Most gardeners usually pick plants that will fit their climate and soil, while there are those that pick what they need, for those who plant vegetables and food crops.

I do wonder, if anyone here picks plants and crops that fit a theme. I came across an article about planting a chocolate garden, and it intrigued me. The plants aren't necessarily scented to taste like chocolate, but the overall feel of it is just that.

Here are some samples of plants that make up a chocolate garden:

• Korean angelica - a chocolate colored biennial that produces only foliage in the first year, but in the second year yields large clumps of dark-purple flowers.
• Chocolate cosmos - the plant produces a deep, burgundy red flowers that have a scent of chocolate.
• Chocolate cherry tomato - its skin takes on a brown hue making it look like a tomato covered in chocolate. It does, however, taste like a cherry tomato.
• Chocolate corn - again. it's mostly the color that gives it the name, an unusual deep red color but it doesn't taste like chocolate.

What other theme gardens do you know of? I've seen some people mention a wine garden or a beverage garden.

[fleurdelys]

Wow! That's certainly interesting! I never really gave theme gardens much thought, but now that you mention it, I've set up a potted herb garden with plants that I use mainly for Italian dishes, and that's alongside the veggies I've planted like tomatoes, bellpeppers, onions and eggplants.

For my herbs, I have basil (pretty much a staple), oregano and a mix of other herbs that fit other types of dishes.

[arianne]

How about wine gardens? Took a tour of a wine garden in Napa Valley sometime back. Not only do they plant grapes and fruits that are also made into wines, but they also have crops of fruits and veggies that go well with the wines they make.

For example, red wine goes great with tomatoes, eggplants, olive and sages so they're planted nearby.

In a white wine garden, light colored fruits are planted. Examples would be melons, apples and a variety of citruses.

[cosmic_girl]

Out in the country my relatives planted an apothecary garden. The word's a bit old, but it basically consists of herbs that have medicinal and healing properties. It isn't big by any means, but it's mostly good for instant relief.

Plants I've seen there:
Aloe Vera
Lemon balm
Chamomile
Garlic
Lavender

It basically overlaps their regular garden, like for the garlic, since they don't to have two garlic plots in the same area.

[farmerbrie]

How about some pizza garden?

[beezybody]

Mediterranean landscaping -- 10 tips for creating a backyard oasis

[dandelion]

Lyreleaf Greeneyes


chocolate cosmos smells like dark chocolate


five-leaf akebia


Gilia tricolor

[amber]

I wish I could make a rainbow themed garden. I wonder if I could make rows of flowers in the same arrangement as the colors of the rainbow. Kinda tough.. Hmmm..

[starcandy]

amber, that's a wonderful idea! I'd love to see that if you do decide to work on it. I guess you'd have to look for plants of those colors that'll bloom at the same time. It'll be definitely amazing to see.

I'm thinking of doing something like a tea garden. It'll most likely be made up of herbs and plants than can be brewed for tea, and they can also be used for other dishes.

Here are some plants that I've decided to use: Mint, lemon balm, chamomile.

[dumbledorf17]

Can a terrarium count?