By PLANT Design Group | Bucks County, PA & Philadelphia Region
At PLANT Design Group, we believe that beauty in the landscape should nourish more than the eyes. A new wave in luxury landscape design is embracing this principle and embodying the idea that outdoor living should be a space where form meets function, and gardens do more than look good. The trend of incorporating edible plants into upscale outdoor spaces is growing fast in Bucks County and the Philadelphia Main Line, and it’s transforming how our clients connect to their environments.
Once considered the domain of rural homesteads or humble backyard plots, edible gardens are now being elevated into sophisticated, architecturally-integrated features of refined estates. Think espaliered pear trees framing a stone wall, geometric beds of vibrant lettuces in a modern courtyard, or a curated herb spiral just outside a sleek outdoor kitchen. These designs are not only elegant but deeply personal, connecting homeowners to their land, their food, and their well-being.
A New Standard of Wellness
Luxury today isn’t just about appearances. It’s about how spaces make us feel, how they support our health, and how they invite us to engage more fully with the natural world. Edible plants, particularly herbs, play a vital role in this shift. Lavender, rosemary, mint, and thyme are not only fragrant and beautiful but bring proven wellness benefits, from reducing stress and anxiety to improving digestion and boosting immunity.
People are re-imaging their planting choices and using plants that serve multiple purposes. For example, a hedge of the native and medicinal spice bush becomes both a culinary staple and a visual anchor. Stunning, architectural, raised planters like those pictured below can be filled with arugula and kale that provide nutrient-rich greens within arm’s reach. Blueberry bushes and fig trees double as ornamental shrubs while producing seasonal fruit for family meals.
Sensory-Rich Landscapes
Incorporating edible plants also enhances one of the most powerful elements of any outdoor experience: sensory stimulation. A luxury garden should engage every sense – sight, scent, taste, touch, and even sound. The texture of soft sage leaves, the perfume of basil in the summer sun, the snap of fresh peas off the vine…these are the moments that turn a garden into an immersive, living space that can be enjoyed by people of all ages. Not to mention, herbs and plants can help deter mosquitos and ticks, both of which can pose serious health risks.
At PLANT Design Group, we often design edible features as part of curated sensory gardens. By layering textures, colors, and fragrances, we create spaces that feel both restful and dynamic. A carefully placed bench beneath a fragrant Meyer lemon tree offers a moment of calm. A pathway bordered by thyme releases a gentle scent with every step.
Designing with Purpose and Place
In Bucks County and the greater Philadelphia region, climate and soil conditions are ideal for a wide variety of edible plantings. From heritage apple trees to heirloom tomatoes, this area’s growing season allows us to design landscapes that are both regionally appropriate and full of abundance.
We take a site-specific approach to every design, considering microclimates, drainage, sun exposure, and the lifestyle of each client. Whether we’re integrating a formal kitchen garden into a New Hope estate or designing a modern herbal terrace with stunning planters and espaliered fruit trees for a home on the Main Line, our goal is to deliver functionality wrapped in elegance. We have recently been excited to be able to offer cold-hardy Pomegranate trees for this area which are both beautiful and delicious, with a myriad of potential health and wellness benefits.
A Return to Meaningful Luxury
Edible landscapes represent a return to a more grounded, thoughtful kind of luxury—one that values connection, nourishment, and presence. These gardens invite people to slow down, to savor, and to take part in something as timeless as the land itself.
At PLANT Design Group, we are proud to lead this movement in the Bucks County and Philadelphia landscape design scene by weaving beauty and utility together.
Interested in exploring edible design for your home? Contact PLANT Design Group to schedule a consultation and discover how your landscape can nourish your body, mind, and spirit.
