Uses for suburban ornamental plants....

[vsixpack]

So the location I'm living at has some really large ornamental plants .

I wanted to know if there is any hope in incorporating them into a permaculture design of the property.
The plants I'm talking about are
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rhododendron
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Holly
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Forsythia

So far the reasons I can think of for keeping the rhododendron would be for pollen for bees and habitat for birds and small mammals,
Hollies provide food and shelter for birds also.

I guess those are definitely reasons to keep then even through they are toxic to humans.
Thanks

[Waehner]

A permaculture site should be beautiful.

If they don't consume resources, and they make you happy, by all means keep them.

Forsythia is used in chinese medicine for fever, and it is a source of nectar.
http://www.itmonline.org/arts/lonicera.htm

Azalea provides nectar, but can cause "mad honey" toxic to humans- http://brewery.org/library/HonD.html

Holly berries are an important winter food for birds. Around these parts, yaupon holly is a common ornamental, and it provides a caffeineated tea. Gallberry is another holly native here that produces the best honey around.

[Michaelangelica]

“If, of thy mortal goods, thou art bereft,
And from thy slender store two loaves alone to thee are left,
Sell one and from the dole, Buy Hyacinths to feed the soul”

~ Muslih-uddin Sadi

Check with a TCM practitioner about the Rhododendron. If it has a medicinal use the Chinese will know

A tea of the ubiquitous "landscaping" plant Murraya paniculata may act as a morning after contraceptive.

[paradisi]

permaculture is as much about feeding the soul as feeding the belly.

if they make you feel good - excellent. if someone says its not permaculture - you'r using them to get bees into your garden