A vegetable garden neatly surrounded by blooms is esthetically pleasing and productive, even though a flower bed can do double duty with a couple brilliant vegetable plants tucked right into it. Though it would seem that any blossom plant which thrives in the same growing condition as the vegetables are a good option, that’s sometimes not the case.
Bulbs
Many types of flower bulbs look like onions, leeks or scallions. Although most types of bulbs won’t harm you, they don’t taste good. Daffodils (Narcissus) and tulips (Tulipia), growing in U.S. Department of Agriculture plant hardiness zones 3 through 8, contain toxic alkaloids that may cause stomach upset, dizziness and convulsions. The bulb is the part of the plant which includes the highest concentration of this alkaloid. Avoid the chance of pulling up a bulb thinking it’s a onion and consuming it.
Poisonous Flowers
Many flowers are edible, others are poisonous. As you might not intentionally pick the toxic flowers, there is a chance that a blossom might go undetected in lettuces or leafy greens. Oleander (Nerium oleander) rises in USDA zones 9 through 11 and is regarded as an invasive plant in California, therefore fresh bushes should not be planted. But if it’s already established in a landscapes it should ebook noted that all areas of the plant are toxic. Foxglove (Digitalis purpurea), growing in USDA zones 4 through 8, produce toxic flowers, stems, leaves and seeds. Some flower seeds are toxic, though their relatives are safe to eat. For instance, the sweet pea (Lathyrus odoratus) appears like English peas when growing and blooming, but the peas — the plant’s seeds — are toxic.
Companion Planting Enemies
Some plants, including flowers, hinder the development of vegetables. For examle, bean growth is hindered by gladiolus (Gladiolus), which rises in USDA zones 7 or higher. You might think that using the stems of sunflowers (Helianthus annuus) are a good idea for pole beans to use as a support, however sunflowers hinder the rise of pole beans as well as potatoes. Peas don’t do well with gladiolus; although peas are a cool-season vegetable and gladiolus blossom in the summer, the gladiolus starts growing while the peas are still producing.
Tall Flowers
All vegetable crops. With the exclusion of mushrooms and rhubarb, require full sun, a minimum of six hours every day, to thrive. Those that fruit, like tomatoes, beans, beans, peas and peppers grow better with much more sunlight. Tall flowers can shade vegetable crops, so while they’re not toxic or company enemies, it’s not a good idea to plant tall flowers as a border to your own vegetable garden. Better choices are nasturtiums (Tropaeolum majus), marigolds (Tagetes patula) or petunias (Petunia), that can be companion friends to beans, cabbage cucumbers, melons and potatoes.
