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Sure, roses are gorgeous. But did you know that many vegetables are equally stunning when grown in your flowerbeds? We spoke to Niki Jabbou...

The Prettiest Veggies to Plant in Your Flower Garden

Raised beds in an urban garden growing plants flowers, herbs spices and berries; Shutterstock ID 1407108191; Job (TFH, TOH, RD, BNB, CWM, CM): TOH Edible Landscaping

Sure, roses are gorgeous. But did you know that many vegetables are equally stunning when grown in your flowerbeds? We spoke to Niki Jabbour, edible gardening expert, book author and frequent contributor to our sister magazine, Birds & Blooms. She told us about the top plants to create a garden that’s as beautiful as it is delicious.

Growing rainbow chard

Swiss Chard

Though this leafy green isn’t as well-known as its more popular counterparts, it’s pretty gorgeous in the garden. Any kind of rainbow Swiss chard is lovely, but Niki recommends picking up a cultivar like Bright Lights or Peppermint that really let their colors pop. Here’s what to make with your chard.

Purchase rainbow Swiss chard seeds ($8) here.

Strawberry in the farm.Strawberries

Strawberries

Not only are strawberries deliciously sweet, they add a gorgeous pop of color to any garden, whether you plant them in the flowerbed or a container. The appeal lasts—before the bright-red fruits come along, strawberry plants bloom in white, red or light pink. Check out our favorite ways to use fresh strawberries.

Purchase strawberry roots ($10 for 10) here.

Red veined sorrel or Bloody sorrel or Rumex sanguineus.

Red-Veined Sorrel

Red-veined sorrel looks similar to Swiss chard—with green leaves and (yep) red veins—but its leaves are much smaller. It’s a great green to use in salad mixes or sauteed as a side, and unlike many other herbs and veggies, it can survive many of the harsher elements.

Purchase red-veined sorrel seeds ($3) here.

Red little flowers of Runner Bean Plant

Scarlet Runner Beans

Niki explains that scarlet runner beans not only offer a gorgeous pop of red to your vegetable garden, but they also attract hummingbirds—and they make a great living wall, if you’re looking to build one or add to yours! Niki also recommends checking out a variety like Golden Sunshine, which has lime green leaves and red blooms. Check out our favorite ways to cook green beans.

Purchase scarlet runner bean seeds ($8) here. 

Spicy globe basil growing in the garden

Basil

Basil itself is a kitchen garden necessity—when left untrimmed, it will sprout white flower spikes. But many of basil’s sister varieties are equally, if not more, stunning. Spicy Globe basil has tiny green leaves that cluster—you could grow a full pot of this plant and never realize it was edible. And can we talk about Dark Opal basil? Its leaves are perfectly purple and it can grow to nearly a foot and a half tall. Honestly, I would grow a garden of just this herb.

Purchase a basil seed variety pack ($13 for 8) here.

purple cauliflower

Purple of Sicily Cauliflower

Even when it’s white, cauliflower is a pretty cool-looking plant. But turn it purple and you’ve got a garden and dinner table standout. Purple of Sicily cauliflower is insect resistant and can yield several pounds at a time. Try grilling purple cauliflower!

Purchase a cauliflower seed variety pack ($10 for 3) here.

Green Lollo bionda and red Lollo rossa lettuces growing in a checkerboard pattern in vegetable salad garden, Rutland, England, UK.; Shutterstock ID 1401310733; Job (TFH, TOH, RD, BNB, CWM, CM): TOH Edible Landscaping

Lollo Rossa Lettuce

Red leaf lettuce generally has an ombre pattern, starting bright green at the roots and gradually shifting to a brownish-red at its leaves. Lollo Rossa’s leaves are ruffled, making it ideal to grow in small clusters and to add a pop of color between green plants in the garden. Here’s everything you need to know about salad greens.

Purchase a lettuce seed variety pack ($13 for 8) here.

flower head of Cynara scolymus (= Cynara cardunculus scolymus group), Artichoke, Globe Artichoke, family Asteraceae, a species of thistle cultivated as food

Globe Artichokes

The wonderful thing about globe artichokes is that they’re beautiful both before and after they bloom. Prior to blooming, they’re round and green—and edible! (Check out our favorite ways to prepare this vegetable.) After blooming, they’re no longer fit for the plate, but they can provide much-needed variety to monochromatic gardens.

Purchase globe artichoke seeds ($5) here.

Chili hot peppers plant, CAPSICUM FRUTESCENS LINN (BIRD CHILI, CHILI), Colorful variety of soft and ripe on tree.; Shutterstock ID 1406566085; Job (TFH, TOH, RD, BNB, CWM, CM): TOH Edible Landscaping

Hot Peppers

Hot peppers come in so many different colors—red, yellow, orange, lime green, even purple—and that’s what makes them such a great choice for any vegetable garden, according to Niki. The plants themselves are beautiful, but the peppers stand out among the leaves, with gorgeous colors that attract the eye.

Purchase a hot pepper seed variety pack ($11 for 6) here.

Fresh green parsley in the garden. selective focus. Shallow depth of field.; Shutterstock ID 1212686947; Job (TFH, TOH, RD, BNB, CWM, CM): TOH Edible Landscaping

Curly Parsley

Unlike Italian parsley, the curly variety does exactly what its name implies—the leaves curve and twist, making them an ideal choice for adding visual variety to your gardening setup. Niki recommends using them to edge beds, or allowing them to hang over the lips of flowerpots and window boxes. Use your harvest to try out these simple lemon parsley potatoes.

Purchase curly parsley seeds ($2) here.

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Kate Ellsworth