Any garden is an edible work of art – a portrait of the gardener’s love and commitment, painted in an array of colors that are as pleasing to the eye as they are delectable to the tongue. But it’s possible to find a selection of decorative plants that also produce tasty treats – if you spend a little time studying rare seeds.

One good example is the Oregon Grape, also known as the Oregon Grape Holly. An evergreen shrub native to the pacific Northwest – northern Oregon up into western Canada – the Oregon Grape displays coarse leaves that form an irregular mound up to eight feet in height. As the shrub matures, it sends out additional stems to form a clump up to six in radius. The leaves of the Oregon Grape are bluish-green, coarse, and strongly resemble holly. Each compound leaf is arrayed radially at the end of each individual stem, and bright yellow flowers grace each stem in the springtime.

From this description, it’s not surprising that the Oregon Grape is grown primarily for ornamental purposes. But the berries are edible and considered delicious by many. And this is just one example of an edible ornamental that can be grown from rare seeds.

The Juneberry is a similar option. It has low water requirements and can grow comfortable at altitudes up to 10,000 feet above sea level. It is another beautiful shrub that grows up to 15 feet in height. It doesn’t require much attention, and can thrive in temperatures down to twenty degrees below zero – a point at which most plants are quite dead, and most people are driven indoors. It has a high lime tolerance and can grow well in heavy clay soils. It produces berries that are soft, sweet, and taste like a cross between apples and almonds. This is another standout among decorative edibles that can be grown from rare seeds.

One doesn’t generally think of oregano when discussing rare seeds, or decorative plants, but this is a good one to add to the list, as well. Not many people cultivate this wonderful herb, which is full of nutrition and can be used as a natural health care supplement.