There is no scent in spring that @renaissancemama loves more than the one from these tall shrubs. Gorgeously redolent of spring. They are considered an invasive non-native species. They’re super tough to get rid of and attempts to uproot them often result only in spreading them.
But if you can’t beat ‘em, enjoy them, right? Autumn olive is edible by both people and animals and makes a great homemade ketchup (check our website this fall for a recipe). They are excellent nitrogen fixers and you’ll often find them on poor soils, making them very good bioindicators. They restore nitrogen to the soils and even feed adjacent plants.
They are medicinal. Traditionally, the flowers are used as astringents, stimulants, and for cardiac complaints. The seeds are used to help make coughs productive, and the fruits are high in nutrients. They are currently being investigated in cancer prevention and treatment.
Where allowed, they actually make excellent hedge plants and orchard companions and produce copious amounts of small-scale fuel wood (perfect for your rocket stove). They coppice readily.
#permaculture #usewhatyouhave #naturalmedicine #wildfood #eatlocal #farmwalk #farmlife #medicinewoman #foodie
