What Vegetables Can You Plant in Borders?

Beans and Legumes

• Scarlet runner beans (Phaseolus coccineus) are annuals that grow well and produce broad, dark green leaves and an abundance of brilliant red flowers, as well as many colorful, edible beans, and are perfect for trellises or fences. Snap beans (Phaseolus vulgaris) and peas (Pisum stivum) also grow well if directed to climb a fence or trellis, and take up very little garden space.

Fruiting Plants

• Fruiting plants such as tomatoes (Lycopersicon esculentum), peppers (Capsicum annuum) or hot peppers (Capsicum frutescens) add dashes of color to any decorative border. Winter squash ( Cucurbita maxima, Cucurbita moschata, or Cucurbita pepo), grown on a tripod, adds unusual texture and color, with their broad, round leaves and curiously shaped gourds. Strawberries (Fragaria x ananassa) can grow easily among other ornamental flowers, offering both white flowers and red fruit.

Leafy Greens

• There are a number of varieties of lettuce (Lactuca sativa) or spinach (Spinacia oleracea) that come in a wide variety of colors from green to purple and grow well in more shaded areas of a garden. Endive (Cichorium endivia) also is decorative, as is Swiss chard (Beta vulgaris, Cicla Group). Some minor salad plants that have unusual or decorative foliage and can be used in a garden border, include arugula (Eruca vesicaria), cress (Lepidium sativum), mustard (Brassica hirta) or summer purslane (Portulaca oleracea). Asparagus (Asparagus officinalis) produces crops for many years and can add tall, feathery foliage to a flower border. Many varieties of kale (Brassica oleracea, Acephala group) and cabbage (Brassica oleracea, Capitata group) can provide a range of colors and textures to any ornamental border.

Herbs

• Herbs are another kind of edible plant that can be incorporated into decorative borders, with their variety of colors, sizes and textures. Chives (Allium schoenoprasum) produce edible mauve flowers as well as pungent, dark green foliage. Thyme (Thymus vulgaris) is a low-growing evergreen and makes for an aromatic edging for borders. Marjoram (Origanum vulgare) and mint (Mentha spicata) are hardy perennial herbs, as are many variants of pale green or silvery sage (Salvia officinalis), dill (Anethum graveolens) and fennel (Foeniculum vulgare), with their tall, feathery leaves.