at the beginning . Combining four or more companion plants in the patch results in higher plant production , reduced pest and disease problems , and increased soil fertility . Compare that to you doing all that yourself : buying fertilizer and expensive organic products — which in the end will be exhaustive attempts at maintaining fertile Black Gold . They ’ re nothing like what a little perennial ecosystem will offer .
Whether it ’ s with a new planting or a retrofit around an existing tree , the goal is a colorful assortment of different species with each playing a key role in the tree ’ s health . My staple four companions around a tree are : comfrey , yarrow , echinacea , and blue wild indigo — the mulch , the insectary , the pollinator , and the nitrogen fixer , respectively . I delegate these all-star plants to each corner of the patch .
Pawpaw : Taste of the Tropics
Imagine a carefree , ornamental tree with a fruit filled with the creamy custard flavors of banana , mango , pineapple , and hints of vanilla . Meet the pawpaw . Reputed to be the largest indigenous fruit grown in North America , it is little-known to most Americans . The pawpaw does not have a long storage life , nor does it have a thick skin needed for transporting . Otherwise , this exquisite fruit would be a well-known and favored fruit on the shelf . Ornamentally the pawpaw stands alone with a perfect pyramid-shape and long tropical-looking leaves that remain lush all summer long before giving a spectacular show of golden fall color . Pawpaws grow up to 25 feet tall but are easily maintained at 8 to 15 feet in height . Remember for a full fruit grow you need full sun ; partial shade equals partial fruit . For a complete lowdown on this fruit , read : For the Love of Pawpaws : A Mini Manual for Growing and Caring for Pawpaws – From Seed to Table .
Uncommonly Good Fruits
Uncommonly delicious , uncommonly beautiful , uncommonly easy to grow … yes , yes , yes ! There is a world of fruit trees and bushes beyond the peach , cherry , and blueberry . These uncommon fruits fit perfectly in the front or backyard and require very little of you other than picking abundant harvests .
Culturally we have become accustomed to a handful of fruit trees and bushes that require an orchardist ’ s hand and arsenal of sprays . But it ’ s time for a revolution in the backyard . A revolution that brings us more ease in cultivation and rewards us with naturally healthy trees that drip with uncommon but delectable tastes .
The following fruits are just a sampling of the cornucopia that awaits to root in your landscape , titillate the senses , and fill the fruit bowl , all chosen for ease of care , beauty and taste .
Currants : Compact and Flavor Packed
Currants are a stately bush of upright canes , attractive leaves , and fruits like dangling pearls that are beauties in any edible landscape . They are a European and Russian favorite that bursts with flavor and tremendous aroma , though not for the lighthearted as they are quite tart and acidic . These qualities make them ideal for jam and wine making .
Similar in size to the gooseberry but thornless and erect in growth , usually between 3 – 5 feet , they blend in nicely at the shrub layer around trees , foundation plantings , and next to evergreens . I plant them between fruit trees where they get just enough light to fruit ( 6 hours ) and stay cool in our hot Mid-Atlantic summers . There are black , red , white , and pink types
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