29 Amazing Perennial Vegetables to Try in Your Suburban Garden

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I love gardening and the idea of perennial vegetables excites me. These plants are special because you only need to plant them once. Then, you can harvest them for years¹. In North America, this idea is not common, but it’s fascinating¹.

While we know about asparagus, rhubarb, and artichokes, there’s more. There are many other tasty, easy-to-grow perennial vegetables. They offer a rich harvest all year round¹.

Adding perennial vegetables to your garden is smart. They are more nutritious and easier to care for than annuals¹. They need the same care as flowers and shrubs, with no need to till and replant every year¹.

Key Takeaways:

• Perennial vegetables are rare in North American gardens but offer many benefits.
• They are more nutritious, easier to grow, and better for the environment than annuals.
• They need little care, with no need to till and replant every year.
• Perennial vegetables can provide food all year due to their different seasons of availability.
• Adding them to your garden can improve soil health and attract beneficial insects.

Here is the list of the perennials discussed in this post:

1. Asparagus
2. Rhubarb
3. Artichokes
4. Sunchokes (Jerusalem Artichokes)
5. Ramps (Wild Leeks)
6. Horseradish
7. Lovage
8. Watercress
9. Bunching Onions
10. Good King Henry
11. Ostrich Fern
12. Sea Kale
13. Sorrel
14. Garlic Chives
15. Walking Onions
16. Comfrey
17. Cardoon
18. Sweet Potatoes
19. Chicory
20. Sorrel (Red Veined)
21. Egyptian Spinach (Molokhia)
22. Perennial Kale (Daubenton’s)
23. Malabar Spinach
24. Tree Collards
25. New Zealand Spinach
26. Perennial Leeks
27. Cranberry Hibiscus
28. Taro
29. Scarlet Runner Beans

What are Perennial Vegetables?

Perennial vegetables are a great choice for gardeners. They don’t need to be replanted every year like annuals do. Perennials come back year after year², giving you a steady harvest for years². They are also easy to care for, lasting several years or even decades².

Benefits of Perennial Vegetables

Perennial vegetables have many advantages. They improve soil health by adding organic matter and preventing erosion². They also save you time and money by not needing to prepare the soil or buy seeds every season².

But, some perennials might not make it through harsh winters or summers². Also, some need regular fertilizing and pest control to grow well². And, most don’t produce food right away, taking three to five years².

To overcome these issues, choose the right perennials for your climate². Local garden experts and Master Gardener programs can help with this².

There are many types of perennial vegetables. You might know asparagus². But there are also sunchokes, Egyptian walking onion, and Chinese artichoke². Even spinach varieties like Ceylon, Sissoo, or New Zealand are perennials². And don’t forget perennial herbs like basil, chives, garlic, mint, oregano, parsley, rosemary, sage, and thyme².

Perennial vegetables are perfect for small gardens, offering a long harvest³. Traditional gardens focus on annuals, needing constant replanting and preservation³. Perennials are great for grazing gardens³, where you pick food right away.

Edible ornamental perennials like daylily, hosta, and stonecrop add beauty and food to your garden³. Nanking Cherry is a great fruit for edible landscapes, showing how to design with food-bearing plants³.

“Perennials help save time and money by eliminating the need to prepare the planting area or purchase seeds each growing season.”²

A Brief History of Perennial Crops

Perennial crops have a rich history that’s often forgotten today. They were key in traditional farming in many places⁴. Unlike the focus on annual crops now, perennials were vital.

Research shows perennials make up 94% of plants but only 13% of cropland. Grain crops, on the other hand, cover about 70% of cropland and most of our calories⁴. This shows how perennials were once overlooked, despite their benefits.

In the 1920s to 1950s, the former Soviet Union tried to make annual wheats perennial⁴. Though it didn’t work well, it showed the potential of perennial grains.

Today, the Land Institute is working on a perennial wheat called Kernza⁴. It needs less tilling and helps keep soil in place. This is a big step forward for perennials in farming.

Perennial crops have long been a success for Black and indigenous farmers⁵. They chose perennials for their soil benefits and less need for chemicals. This approach also boosts biodiversity⁴.

Looking ahead, perennials could help solve big problems like climate change and soil loss⁵. With more research and support, they could change farming for the better⁵.

“The Land Institute highlighted that perennial grain crops have potential in enhancing food and ecosystem security while reducing farming’s environmental impact.”⁴

Perennial Edible Plants for Your Garden

There are many perennial vegetables beyond the usual favorites like asparagus and rhubarb. Gardeners can choose from a variety of lesser-known and delicious options. These choices help create a bountiful and sustainable edible garden⁶.

Well-Known Perennial Vegetables

Berry bushes, asparagus, rhubarb, and artichokes are common perennial vegetables. Gardeners love them for their reliability and long-term productivity⁷. Asparagus, for instance, can produce spears for 10 years if harvested right⁸.

Rhubarb, with its bright pink stalks, can thrive for decades with little care⁷.

Lesser-Known but Delicious Perennial Vegetables

There are many tasty but lesser-known perennial vegetables. These include ramps, horseradish, lovage, and watercress. Also, bunching onions, daylilies, and good king henry are great options⁷.

Groundnut, Jerusalem artichokes, ostrich fern, and scarlet runner beans are also good choices. Sea kale and sorrel are perfect for a diverse garden⁷. Many of these plants grow well in various climates, from 3 to 9⁸.

Adding these lesser-known veggies to your garden offers a diverse harvest all year. They require little care, making them ideal for a sustainable garden⁶. Whether you want to spice up your meals or create a low-effort garden, these plants are worth trying⁷.

Here’s a list of the most popular perennials to consider:

Plant	Growing Season	Special Care	Climate

Asparagus

Plant in early spring

Wait 2–3 years before first harvest

Cold to temperate

Rhubarb

Best planted in early spring

Thrives with little care; grows best in cooler climates

Cold to temperate

Artichokes

Prefers mild winters

Requires specific planting and harvesting times

Mild winters

Sunchokes (Jerusalem Artichokes)

Plant tubers in spring

Can be invasive; manage growth space

Suitable across North America

Ramps (Wild Leeks)

Early spring

Prefers shaded, damp areas

Temperate zones

Horseradish

Plant in spring or fall

Can spread aggressively; control growth

Cold to temperate

Lovage

Plant in early spring

Minimal care; tall plant

Cold to temperate

Watercress

Plant in spring

Prefers aquatic or constantly damp conditions

Cold to temperate

Bunching Onions

Plant anytime spring through fall

Easy to grow and maintain

Adaptable to most climates

Good King Henry

Spring

Likes rich, moist soils

Cold climates preferred

Ostrich Fern

Early spring

Prefers shaded, moist areas

Cold to temperate

Sea Kale

Plant in early spring

Requires well-drained soil

Cold to temperate

Sorrel

Plant in spring

Easy to grow; tolerates poor soils

Cold to temperate

Garlic Chives

Plant in spring

Thrives in well-drained soil; cut regularly to prevent flowering

Cold to temperate

Walking Onions

Plant in fall

Hardy and low-maintenance; self-propagates

Cold to temperate

Comfrey

Plant in spring

Grows quickly; great for compost and mulch

Cold to temperate

Cardoon

Plant in early spring

Similar to artichokes; prefers mild winters

Mild winters

Sweet Potatoes

Plant in spring

Needs warm soil; grown as annual in cooler areas

Warm climates

Chicory

Plant in early spring

Prefers well-drained soil; tolerates drought

Cold to temperate

Sorrel (Red Veined)

Plant in spring

Beautiful edible leaves; tolerates poor soil

Cold to temperate

Egyptian Spinach (Molokhia)

Plant in spring

Thrives in hot climates; drought-resistant

Warm climates

Perennial Kale (Daubenton’s)

Plant in spring

Tolerates poor soils; produces for years

Temperate zones

Malabar Spinach

Plant in spring

Heat-tolerant vine; prefers climbing structures

Warm climates

Tree Collards

Plant in spring

Tall, long-lived plant; thrives in warm zones

Warm climates

New Zealand Spinach

Plant in spring

Heat-tolerant and hardy; thrives in sandy soil

Warm climates

Perennial Leeks

Plant in spring

Divide regularly to maintain production

Cold to temperate

Cranberry Hibiscus

Plant in spring

Edible leaves; striking burgundy color

Warm climates

Taro

Plant in spring

Prefers wet soils; common in tropical gardens

Tropical to warm climates

Growing Perennial Edible Plants

Growing perennial vegetables needs special care. They take time to grow and may not produce well for years⁹. It’s important to plant them in a spot where they can grow over time. Unlike annuals, you can’t just rotate them to avoid pests and diseases⁹.

But, with the right care, they can thrive for years. They offer a steady harvest with less work⁹. You can grow many types of fruits, vegetables, and herbs like artichokes and chives⁹.

Some plants to consider are Egyptian walking onions and fig trees⁹. Sun chokes can grow fast, so they’re best in containers⁹. Horseradish is best harvested in the fall for making sauce⁹.

Rosemary varieties have different success rates, depending on where you live⁹. Swiss chard can live long, like kale and parsley⁹. Perennial plants are great for more than just eating them; they’re also good for making medicine and tea⁹.

Perennial plants help keep the soil healthy and reduce soil disturbance⁹. They improve soil health and make nutrients available for other plants⁹. Short perennial cover crops are best for Square Foot Gardening to avoid soil disruption⁹.

Asparagus can live for decades and starts producing shoots after three years¹⁰. Blueberries take three years to reach full productivity and need acidic soil¹⁰. Raspberries and blackberries need pruning to grow new canes each year¹⁰.

Horseradish thrives in most areas except warm winters, and its root is used for flavor¹⁰. Jerusalem artichokes grow in the U.S. but yield less in southern areas¹⁰. Rhubarb does best in colder climates and needs slightly acidic soil¹⁰. Strawberries come in different types and prefer slightly acidic soil¹⁰. Lovage is a tall herb with dark green leaves and is liked by gardeners everywhere¹⁰.

Perennial Vegetables in Permaculture

For gardeners looking to grow more, adding perennial vegetables to a permaculture design is smart¹¹. In permaculture, plants are layered like in nature. This helps plants, soil, insects, and wildlife work together better¹¹.

Creating these layered gardens takes time. Start with fruit trees and add perennial veggies and other plants over years¹¹. This way, your garden becomes more perennial over time¹¹.

Designing perennial vegetable guilds helps plants grow and soil stay fertile¹¹. Using asparagus, rhubarb, and artichokes as a base is a good start. Adding climbing plants like grapevines and kiwi saves space and looks great¹¹.

Food forests mimic natural forests by grouping plants by function and lifespan¹¹. They include edible, medicinal, and ornamental plants, arranged to use space well¹¹.

Spacing is key in food forests to keep pests away and ensure healthy growth¹¹. Adding herbs like thyme and rosemary attracts good bugs and adds flavor to food¹¹.

Perennial veggies are tough and grow well in cold and shade¹¹. They offer a long-term food source, lasting for decades¹¹.

Incorporating Perennial Edible Plants into Your Landscape

I love gardening and have found joy in adding perennial edible plants to my yard. These plants give us food year after year and make our outdoor spaces look better¹².

To add perennial veggies, you can widen your garden beds and plant them around the edges¹². Or, if you have a garden with flowers or shrubs, try adding plants like sea kale or sorrel¹².

Perennial edibles are great for spots that are shady, wet, or cool. These areas are hard for annual crops to grow in¹². By adding these plants, you can make your yard both beautiful and useful¹².

Some plants that look good and taste great include Nasturtiums, Swiss chard, and Dinosaur kale¹³. You can also use herbs like Rosemary and Chives for their flavor and beauty¹³.

Adding perennial edible plants to your yard means you get a pretty space and fresh food¹². Whether you’re new to gardening or have been doing it for years, trying perennial edibles can be exciting¹³.

“Integrating perennial edibles into your landscape is like creating a symphony of flavors, textures, and colors that harmonize to delight the senses.”

So, why not explore the endless possibilities of perennial edible plants? Your yard, food, and enjoyment of nature will all benefit.

Drawbacks of Perennial Vegetables

Perennial vegetables have many benefits, like needing little care¹⁴ and improving soil¹⁴. But, they also have some downsides. For example, they take a long time to grow, similar to fruit trees¹⁴. Gardeners might have to wait years to harvest them.

Some perennial vegetables, like artichokes and asparagus, need specific times to plant and harvest¹⁵. For instance, asparagus crowns should be planted from January to March in Alameda County¹⁵. The first two springs after planting should be left unharvested¹⁵. This can be hard for some gardeners to follow.

Perennial vegetables also face pest and disease issues because of no crop rotation¹⁴. Once a disease or pest appears, it’s hard to get rid of, and the whole crop might need to be replaced¹⁴. Some, like horseradish, can spread and crowd out other plants if not controlled¹⁶.

Lastly, the taste of some perennial vegetables can change, becoming bitter or unpleasant after they flower¹⁴. This can be a problem for those who want to eat them regularly¹⁴.

Even with these challenges, perennial vegetables can be great for home gardens. They require extra effort for long-term care. By knowing the unique challenges, gardeners can choose the right varieties for their gardens.

Conclusion

Reflecting on perennial vegetables, I see how they can change our garden and food life. They offer benefits of growing perennial vegetables like less work and longer harvests. They also help our gardens and the environment.

By growing a variety of perennial vegetables, we make our gardens both productive and lovely. They give us tasty, healthy food for many years. These plants are great for any garden, big or small, helping us grow food without always starting over.

Exploring perennial vegetables, I’m amazed by their range and flexibility. We have old favorites like asparagus and strawberries, and new ones like Madagascan beans and chokos. The world of perennial vegetable gardening is vast and exciting¹⁷. I’m eager to learn more and hope you’ll join me in this adventure.

Source Links

1. https://www.smallfootprintfamily.com/20-perennial-vegetables – 20 Perennial Vegetables To Plant Once For Years Of Food
2. https://www.thespruce.com/perennial-foods-1388677 – Edible Perennials That Will Bear Year After Year
3. https://www.foodgardenlife.com/learn/edible-perennials – These Edible Perennials and Perennial Vegetables to Make a Delicious Edible Landscape — Food Garden Life: Edible Garden, Vegetable Garden, Edible Landscaping
4. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Perennial_crop – Perennial crop
5. https://www.farmbilllaw.org/2022/12/12/perennial-agriculture-an-old-new-way-of-farming/ – Perennial Agriculture: An Old New Way of Farming | Farm Bill Law Enterprise
6. https://www.epicgardening.com/perennial-vegetables/ – 41 Perennial Vegetables to Grow by Hardiness Zone
7. https://www.saveur.com/culture/perennial-vegetable-garden/ – For a Low-Effort, High-Reward Garden, Plant These Perennial Vegetables
8. https://www.greenviewfertilizer.com/articles/perennial-vegetables-edibles-that-come-back-year-after-year – Perennial Vegetables: Edibles that Come Back Year After Year – GreenView
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11. https://www.ecodesignhive.com/perennial-vegetables-for-food-forest/ – 100+ Perennial Vegetables, and how they can transform your garden into a lush food forest
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13. https://www.dianasdesignsaustin.com/2020/04/mix-colorful-garden-edibles-into-your-landscape/ – Mix colorful garden edibles into your landscape | Diana’s Designs Austin
14. http://www.waldeneffect.org/blog/Pros_and_cons_of_perennial_vegetables/ – Pros and cons of perennial vegetables
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