Section 1
Substitute the structure
Boxwood hedge → blueberry hedge (in raised, acidified beds) or rosemary. Foundation shrubs → currants, gooseberries, sea buckthorn. Specimen tree → semi-dwarf apple or pear (both have spring bloom, fall color, and edible fruit). Tall accent → globe artichoke (architectural foliage, edible buds, perennial in warm microclimates).
Section 2
Herbs as ground cover
Creeping thyme — fragrance when stepped on, tiny flowers, ground cover for paths. Oregano — purple flower spikes, cascades over walls. Strawberries — productive ground cover, pretty white flowers, kids picnic in them. Chives — clumping foliage with purple pompom flowers.
Section 3
Vines for fences and arbors
Grapes — autumn color, fruit, dappled shade for a patio. Hops — fast vertical cover, fragrant flowers, useful if anyone in the house brews. Hardy kiwi (Actinidia kolomikta) — variegated foliage, fuzzless edible fruit. Scarlet runner beans — annual but stunning red flowers and edible pods.
Section 4
Mixed beds (potager style)
Plant vegetables in patterns. A row of red lettuce alternating with red sails — looks like a tapestry. Kale as a border plant — the colored stems read like ornamental cabbage from the street. Rainbow chard against a black-painted fence — high contrast. Tomatoes trellised on a decorative obelisk.
Section 5
What to avoid for street appeal
Don't plant 8'x8' plots of hot-weather vegetables (corn, squash, melons) at the front of the yard — they look ratty in late August. Keep those in the back. Front-of-yard edibles should be evergreen-ish or have year-round structure. Fruit trees, herbs, perennial vegetables, and tidy containers are the front-yard picks.