THE UNCOMMON INDEX

A working collection of plants to explore

Uncommon depends on whose experience we’re considering. The collection will change as we learn.

We’re developing our P6 area into a food forest, aiming to include the eight layers of permaculture design. We envision this space mimicking the structural diversity of a mature woodland area.

KEY GROWING PLANTING 2027 EXPLORING
NO. 01GROWING
Apple branch with blossoms, leaves and fruit, botanical illustration

Illustration: Britton & Brown, 1913

Apple

Malus domestica

ORIGIN
Tian Shan, Central Asia
USE
Dessert, cooking, cider
HERE
23 varieties, about 1,000 trees

The foundation of the farm, from 1970s Empire and Rome to wild Kazakh selections. SEE THE APPLES →

NO. 02GROWING
Black walnut leaf, catkin, nut and husked fruit, botanical illustration

Illustration: Britton & Brown, 1913

Black Walnut

Juglans nigra

ORIGIN
Eastern North America
USE
Nuts, timber, dye
GROWS
Large tree; its roots release juglone, which many plants dislike

A strong, earthy nut that is hard to crack and rarely sold, and a tree that shapes what can grow around it.

NO. 03EXPLORING
Pawpaw branch with fruit, leaves and flowers, botanical illustration

Illustration: Britton & Brown, 1913

Pawpaw

Asimina triloba

ORIGIN
Eastern North America
USE
Fresh fruit, custards, ice cream
GROWS
Understory tree; needs two unrelated trees to fruit

The largest fruit native to North America, with a tropical, custard-like flesh that bruises too easily for the grocery store.

NO. 04PLANTING 2027
Peach branch with blossoms, stone and fruit, botanical illustration

Illustration: Britton & Brown, 1913

Peach

Prunus persica

ORIGIN
China
USE
Fresh fruit, preserves
TYPES
White-fleshed, flat and blood-red

Beyond the standard yellow peach: flat, white and red-fleshed types chosen for flavor and texture.

NO. 05PLANTING 2027
Pear branch with blossoms, fruit and cross-section, botanical illustration

Illustration: Britton & Brown, 1913

Pear

Pyrus communis

ORIGIN
Europe and western Asia
USE
Dessert, cooking, perry
GROWS
Long-lived; ripens off the tree

New pears for the renovated orchard, going in alongside the stone fruit in spring 2027.

NO. 06EXPLORING
Persimmon branch with leaves, flowers and fruit, botanical illustration

Illustration: Britton & Brown, 1913

Persimmon

Diospyros virginiana

ORIGIN
Eastern United States
USE
Puddings, breads, dried fruit
GROWS
Hardy; fruit is astringent until fully soft

America’s native persimmon: small, intensely sweet once truly ripe, and a fixture of old Midwestern baking.

NO. 07EXPLORING
Spicebush branch with leaves, flower clusters and fruit, botanical illustration

Illustration: Britton & Brown, 1913

Spicebush

Lindera benzoin

ORIGIN
Eastern North America
USE
Berries as a spice, leaves for tea
GROWS
Shade-tolerant shrub; male and female plants

A native shrub whose red berries taste of allspice and pepper, and one of the first pollen sources for bees in spring.

NO. 08NEXT
To be added

The next plant

The index grows as we learn

“What makes a crop uncommon?”

Pawpaw is a backyard fruit across Ohio and Appalachia; persimmon pudding is a tradition in southern Indiana. In a Hudson Valley market, both are curiosities. The index is a record of that distance, and of closing it.

WHAT SHOULD we GROW?

Suggest our next uncommon species

If you grow, cook with, or love a plant that belongs here, write to us.

Write to Us