I guess the truth is we want it all. We want good looks as well as intelligence, brains as well as brawn. But we invariably settle on a compromise. Few people have it all.
When it comes to vegetables, I err on the side of looks. I want my vegetable garden to be productive and I enjoy the harvest, but at least as important to me is the vista. The sight of a burgeoning vegetable garden is even more rewarding than the taste of it.
That being said, the best looking plants can also be the tastiest. The flowers of courgettes, beans and peas are stunning at this time of year, as are their early fruits. I guess the only crops that don’t contribute much to the vista are root crops, but the sight of a bunch of freshly dug colourful carrots makes up for it. I’m sure there’s a message in there somewhere about digging deeper and not being superficial.