pendragon orchard and vine

Since the first monastery gardens of Europe, growers have wrestled with the same quiet dilemma—how to fit Eden into a courtyard. The problem is not new. Every walled garden, every cloister orchard, was a study in constraint: soil, sun, and stone dictating what could live together and what must be left out. Space has always been the gardener’s first teacher.

In permaculture, all things should have multi-functions. Topping my list this year is a lesser known sunflower that is perennial, edible, pollinator-friendly, drought tolerant, and just beautiful. It's Helianthus maximiliani, Maximilian Sunflower. I use this species on every project, as does our charity All Hands on Earth . Seeding is easy: sprinkle on the soil and press down lightly; water regularly until the shoots, which are edible, reach about 6-8" in height. Then let it

Yamaimo is one of the stranger crops worth considering for edible landscape design: a quiet climbing vine above ground with a long edible tuber forming below. Grown on a trellis and harvested from deep containers, this Japanese mountain yam turns vertical space into real food production while offering a crop that can be eaten raw, grated, cooked, or stored.

Conversion of an established Square pattern orchard to a food forest on Orcas Island. Principal goals for the project: Improve Species (Food) Diversity; Convert Annuals to Perennials; Use Guilds and Super Guilds; Lower Long Term Maintenance Cost; Four Season Food Production; Restore/Add Privacy Screens; Create Social/Gathering Area; Improve Soil Structure; Add Color in the Winter; Native Habitat Restoration. Species List