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| Tullie Smith House at AHC |
Edible Landscaping
Throughout history, the most practical form of landscape “design”
placed food-producing plants closest to the home, enclosed by fences to protect
them from animals and passers-by. One
example, the Tullie-Smith House on the grounds of the Atlanta History Center,
depicts a family farm of the 1840s complete with a sharp picket fence
surrounding the flowers and fruit planted near the house.
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| MiesVanDerRohe-VillaTugendhat |
Then gardens and grounds became more sophisticated, and food
producing trees and shrubs were separated from foundation plantings and
relegated to the orchard. Ornamental landscaping for urban dwellers came to
mean plants with low maintenance, with no pesky fruit or seeds to pick or rake.
Beauty, privacy screening, noise reduction, energy efficiency and shade became
the main requirements for landscaping around the home.
Today, with the increased interest in locally-grown produce and
flowers, traditional fruits like apple and peach trees, pomegranate shrubs and grape
vines are once again being included in borders, hedges, specimen plantings and
arbors. Landscape architects are adding edible landscape plants to their
designs.
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| Columnar Urban(R) Apples |
Columnar apple trees like Urban® Apples by Garden Debut® are
perfect to slip into even the smallest spaces while providing full-sized fruit.
Growing these apple trees in large containers is yet another option. They stand
stiffly upright, taking no more than a couple of feet square, and provide apple
blossoms in spring and tasty apples in fall. Choose two for good pollination.
Good Better Best! Apple Pie Tips for Urban® Apples
To enhance the delightful crisp flavor or Urban® Apples, add a cup
of shredded extra-sharp cheddar cheese and a little extra salt when making your
favorite 2-crust pie dough.
Add a teaspoon cinnamon and a teaspoon of freshly-grated nutmeg to your favorite pie filling. Mound the apples in the center of the pie shell then top with the second cheese crust.
What makes your apple pie special?
