Many people are happy to have a flower border, but the idea of vegetable plot scares them. The last however many plants you could include in a normal border. Though many ornamental plants that can be productive and produce food for you.

Artichokes are tall, structural plants that will add height and interest to any border. They will last up to 5 years, and can be harvested during their second year. The edible parts of the thick and fleshy scales of their large flower bulbs.

Runner beans have stunning red flowers, will climb up poles and canes to provide height and colour. The more you pick them the more flowers you get. The delicious beans are best eaten fresh. They could climb of the trellis or an arbour.

First sprouts may seem like a more likely candidate for the front garden, they will grow their quite happily. They will also attract an enormous amount of attention. Unless you live in an area where brussels sprouts are widely grown, firstly everyone will stop you and ask you what you are growing. There are many other brassicas available that have colour and are interesting. Ornamental cabbages are grown for their colour, but there's nothing to stop you going normal cabbages in the flower border too.

Hanging baskets filled with tiny tomatoes make a stunning treat  next to a sunshine covered front door. There are varieties of tomatoes suitable for this. Chives looks stunning in the flower border if you leave them to flower than their purple heads will look stunning. Other herbs can be very ornamental, a rosemary bush has lovely flowers, dill has lovely foliage, time and Parsley could both be used as edging plants.

If you're thinking of adding a tree to your garden, then why not make it a fruit tree. These also have lovely blossom, with the added benefit of fruit later in the year. Even if you don't eat the fruit then others will. Apple's other favourite of blackbirds in winter, soft fruit like plums and damsons will be irresistible to humans. The cost will be very similar, with the added bonus of free fruit for ever.

There are so many different ways of incorporating vegetable plants into your flower border, that with a little thought and time you could have a very productive front garden. You'll also confuse the neighbours and get them asking questions as to what you're growing! Growing vegetables can be very easy and it's a worthwhile hobby.