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Writer's pictureElise Goplerud

15+ Native Plants for an Edible Landscape in Maine

Updated: Jul 2

Maine has a short growing season, and with such a busy lifestyle, we sought a low-maintenance way to produce food on the homestead. Native, wild plants are naturally adapted to the local climate, requiring less water, fertilizer, and pesticides, making them easier to grow and maintain. Plus, they provide important habitat and food sources for local wildlife and pollinators. Wild food is also typically more nutrient-dense than cultivated counterparts found in grocery stores.


These are 15 plants that are part of our edible landscape, either wild or planted.


*Please note that you should be 100% sure of what you are eating when foraging. This list is not a comprehensive guide to plant identification and safe consumption.


1. Fiddleheads, Ostrich Fern

The edible, young, coiled fronds of the ostrich fern are known as fiddleheads. Rich in vitamins, minerals, and antioxidants, fiddleheads offer numerous health benefits, including boosting the immune system. They must be boiled in water for 10-15 minutes before consumption.

Fiddlehead fern
A ready to harvest fiddlehead

2. Apples

Apple trees were one of the first things we added to our property. Though they won't bear fruit for another couple of years, they are incredibly versatile, and their spring blossoms are delightful.


3. Ramps, Wild Leeks

Ramps, also known as wild leeks, are early spring vegetables with a pungent flavor, reminiscent of a mix between onion and garlic, making them a sought-after ingredient in gourmet cooking. They grow naturally in Maine's forests, especially in rich, floodplain soil, but have been over harvested in many areas, making them rare today.

Ramps, wild leaks
I carefully transplanted 30 ramps to our property this year which helps the population where I took them from and will help them regain lost habitat.

4. Violets

Purple and white violets provide edible flowers and leaves that can be used in salads, desserts, and teas, adding a unique flavor and color. One of my favorite preparations is violet jelly.


5. Blueberries

Blueberries are not only delicious but also rich in antioxidants, vitamins, and fiber, promoting overall health. They thrive in Maine's acidic soil, making them a practical and productive addition to an edible landscape.

A wild blueberry bush
I look forward to harvesting blueberries all year

6. Elderberry

Elderberries are going through a little fad right now and prices for an elderberry tonic or similar medicine are just ridiculous. Especially when you realize that they might be growing in your back yard. Not all elderberries are edible, so be sure to identify them correctly. We planted two our first year, and they have already produced massive clusters of berries.


7. Acorns

Acorns are a nutrient powerhouse. However, they can't be eaten raw and require some preparation to be used as flour. The effort is worth it, as they make excellent protein-packed muffins and pancakes.

Acorn muffin in pan
Maybe acorn muffins don't look the most delicious but I promise you, they are great!

8. Dandelion

Every part of this common weed is edible and packed with nutrients. The leaves are rich in vitamins A, C, and K, and can be enjoyed fresh in salads or sautéed as a side dish. Dandelion roots, often roasted to make a caffeine-free coffee substitute, are known for their liver-detoxifying properties. Even the bright yellow flowers are edible, making a delightful addition to salads, or can be used to infuse oils and vinegars!


9. Trout Lily

Trout lilies are among the first spring greens to emerge. Although you can eat their underground corms, harvesting them is lethal and not recommended. I enjoy snacking on the newly emerged leaves, which taste somewhat like cucumber. Some people are sensitive to this plant, so if it’s your first time trying it, consume only a small amount.


trout lily flowers
A welcome spring sight, trout lilies!

10. Chokecherries

Chokecherries are common in Maine, and while they are very astringent raw (hence their name), they become delicious when made into syrup, jelly, wine, or pie.


11. Plum

Plums can thrive in Maine’s climate, and we planted two along with our apple trees when we first moved here. Just ensure you know the variety, as some types are not cold hardy.


12. Maple

We’ve been making our own maple syrup for years. It’s a fun tradition that marks the retreat of winter and provides a little sweetness when winter gets you down. Although the classic maple to tap is the Sugar maple, we only have Red maples on our property, and we have made gallons of delicious syrup from them.

A man tapping a maple tree
Joe tapping a maple tree

13. Beaked Hazelnut

We were delighted to find dozens of beaked hazelnuts on our property. The nuts are delicious, much like the store-bought variety, though it’s always a race to beat the squirrels to them when they’re ready.


14. Rhubarb

Rhubarb provides tart, flavorful stalks perfect for pies, jams, and sauces. It is a hardy perennial that requires minimal maintenance and thrives in Maine’s cooler temperatures.


15. Milkweed

Milkweed is an incredible plant for its ecosystem benefits and is wonderful to forage! Milkweed produces edible shoots, leaves, and flowers that can be used in various dishes. Before the milkweed seed pod fully develops, it can be made into vegan cheese.


A Monarch butterfly caterpillar on a Milkweed plant with a ripe seed pod behind it
A Monarch butterfly caterpillar on a Milkweed plant with a ripe seed pod behind it.

There are so many possibilities for an edible landscape. This is what we're looking forward to adding our landscape next:


16. Wild Raisin

Wild raisins thrive in wet areas, and our property is quite wet, so I hope to plant some next year. I'm looking forward to harvesting these berries in the fall when most berry seasons are long gone.


17. Huckleberry

Huckleberries are often overlooked in favor of blueberries in Maine. They are packed with antioxidants and vitamins, particularly vitamin C, promoting cardiovascular health and enhancing immune function.


18. Raspberry

Maine is full of old logging roads and disturbed sites due to forestry. Raspberries thrive in these areas so I never have trouble foraging raspberries, although I’d like to plant some closer to home.


19. Staghorn Sumac

Staghorn sumacs are fascinating plants with brilliant red foliage in the fall. Their flowers make a refreshing iced tea, similar to lemonade.


20. Walnut

Walnuts are more common in the southern U.S., and I’m unsure how successful I’ll be planting one north of Bangor, but I plan to give it a shot. I may never see the fruits of my labor, though, as walnuts take up to 13 years to bear fruit.


Enjoy!

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