patty:

First, it would be MOST helpful if we knew what zone you are in (Sunset Western Garden Book zone, NOT USDA).

Second, here's a list of edibles that look good in the landscape; these are the easiest for public areas and I've marked ONE native ("N"):

ORNAMENTAL EDIBLES

SHADE TREES

Bay Laurel, California (Umbellularia californica) - N
Bay Laurel, Grecian (Laurus nobilis)
Carob (Ceratonia siliqua)
English Walnut
Loquat (Eriobotrya japonica)
Sapote, White (Casimiroa edulis)

ACCENT TREES (STRUCTURE)

Guava, Mexican (slightly tender)
Guava, Pineapple (with pruning/training)
Jelly Palm (Butia capitata)
Jujube (Ziziphus)
Loquat (Eriobotrya japonica)
Persimmon, especially ÂHachiyaÂ
Plum  ÂWeeping Santa RosaÂ
Plum  Purple-leaf ÂHollywood (Prunus cerasifera)

FLOWERING SPECIMEN TREES

Almond
Apricot
Nectarine  especially ÂDouble DelightÂ
Peach -- especially ÂFantastic ElbertaÂ, ÂLoringÂ, ÂRed BaronÂ
Pomegranate
FLOWERING SHRUBS

Lemon Verbena
Mexican Tarragon (Tagetes)
Peach -- ÂBonanza IIÂ
Pineapple Sage (Salvia elegans/rutilans)
Plum, Natal (Carissa macrocarpa; somewhat tender)
Quince, Japanese (Chaenomeles speciosa)
Rosemary  ÂCollingwood IngrahamÂ, ÂMajorca PinkÂ

SMALL SHRUBS

Lemon Balm (Melissa officinalis)
Rosemary  ÂBlue BoyÂ, ÂBouleÂ
Winter Savory

AUTUMN COLOR

Apricot
Grape
Persimmon
Pomegranate

ESPALIERS

Apricots (on semi-dwarf stock)
Bay Laurel
Fig
Pear (on dwarf stock)
Pomegranate
Strawberry Guava

VINES

Grape (Vitis)
Kiwi (Actinidia chinensis)
Kiwi (A. kolomikta "Arctic Beauty")
Kiwi (A. arguta "Hardy Kiwi")
Passion Fruit (Passiflora)

GROUND COVERS

Chamomile, Roman (Chamaemelum nobile)
Rosemary, trailing types
Sweet Woodruff (Galium odoratum)
Thymes (many)

HEDGES

Bay Laurel (Laurus nobilis)
Brush Cherry (Syzygium paniuclatum)
Cactus Pear, Tuna (Opuntia ficus-indica)
California Bay Laurel (Umbellularia californica) - N
Chilean-guava (Ugni molinae)
Guava, Pineapple
Guava, Strawberry (and "Lemon Guava" - yellow)
Rosemary  ÂBlue SpiresÂ, ÂSpice IslandsÂ, ÂTuscan BlueÂ

[also use free-standing espaliers for screening]

PERENNIALS FOR COLOR

Anise Hyssop (Agastache foeniculum)
Chinese Chives
Daylilies
Mexican Tarragon
Saffron Crocus
Thymes  especially T. herba-barona, T. serpyllum forms,
T. pseudolanuginosus ÂHallÂs WoollyÂ

PERENNIALS FOR FOLIAGE/TEXTURAL ACCENT

Chinese Chives
Chives
Fennel ÂSmokeyÂ
French Tarragon
Lemon Balm (Melissa officinalis)
Lemon Grass
Pot Marjorum  especially Origanum onites ÂAureumÂ
Sage  especially S. officinalis ÂPurpurascensÂ,
ÂPurpurascens VariegataÂ, ÂTricolorÂ
Thymes  especially T. x citriodorus ÂArgenteusÂ, ÂAureusÂ, ÂLimeÂ,
ÂDoone ValleyÂ; T. pseudolanuginosus; T. vulgaris ÂArgenteusÂ

Joe

Wow! Thank you!

We have a few possibilities for the land that we will build on, so the exact zone is not established - but probably zone 21. The zones change so rapidly though, that we may be in anything from 20 - 24.

Thanks again Joe,

Patty

Here's a little more help on native plants......

Here is a link that might be useful: edible/useful plants