Edible Perennials for Spring

They are the happy little ones that greet you early each spring. They make gardening easier and easier each year. And they can be delicious. I love perennials, especially edible perennials! In the videos below, I profile some of the best edible perennials you can add to your garden for lovely growth and delicious eating in spring and summer.

In each video, I share a bit of the plant’s natural history, notes for growing it, and ways to use it in your own kitchen.

These videos were originally broadcast live on the Gardens That Matter Facebook page.

Sorrel: A Lemony Lettuce

This low-growing herb has been a part of European gardens for hundreds of years. The bright flavored greens are a welcome addition to salads, sauces, and soups.

Lovage: Veggie Drinking Straw

With a flavor similar to celery, lovage is a perennial herb that can grow 4-8 feet tall. The young hollow stems can be used as a drinking straw. Tomato juice, anyone?

Asparagus: A Veggie Patch for Decades

Plant asparagus today for years and years of harvest! Should you plant seeds or crowns? And what’s the best way to prepare a planting area? I’ll cover that and more in the video.

Rhubarb: The Pie Plant

We have a rhubarb plant that started as a crown gifted by a neighbor in the ’90s. It’s up this spring and looking good again. But we’re planting a big strawberry bed, so we’ll need more rhubarb, too! In this video, see what the crown looks like and learn how to plan your own pie plant.

Small Fruits: Small Child Magnets

In this overview of some favorite edible shrubs and small trees, you’ll hear several ways to incorporate small fruits into your landscape and recommendations for spacing.

Now, I’d love to hear from you about edible perennials!

What perennials do you love to see and eat in spring? What edible perennials do you want to grow in your garden? Tell me in the comments below!