Ten Edible Flowers We Love

Growing your own produce is really rewarding, but did you know you can easily eat from your flower garden as well? Today we’re looking at some of our favourite uncommon edible plants that make great gardening garnishes for the kitchen!

Before eating any plant or flower from your garden, be sure you’re certain of its identification. Always pick flowers at full bloom, and always rinse them before eating. Keep in mind that often it’s only the petals which are edible, so be sure to double check if you’re not certain.

Allium

They make a wonderful fireworks display for the garden, but did you know you can eat them? The Allium family includes chives, garlic, and leeks. Their flowers are edible and make a delicious garnish. Sprinkle on salad, soup, your baked potato — anything and everything!

Calendula

With flavor ranging from tangy to peppery, Calendula petals are an excellent addition to a summer salad or as a garnish on any number of dishes. They can add an inexpensive dash of bright color, which is why they’ve been called “poor man’s saffron” before.

Dandelion

If you think dandelions are simply “weeds” think again! Their honey-flavored flowers are an excellent addition to any summer salad, good eaten raw as a snack, or even good lightly breaded and fried. The leaves are great in salads, topping sandwiches, or anywhere else you want to add greens into a dish.

Daylily

Make sure you’re certain that your lily is a daylily before eating! Their buds and petals are edible and reminiscent of asparagus in flavor. You can find a lot of fab recipes using them, from simple frying to making fritters. What’s not to love?

Hibiscus

Nothing is quite so refreshing as a hibiscus iced tea in the hot weather — or a hibiscus mimosa at brunch! These sweet-tart blooms are ideal for infusions.

Nasturtiums

Flowers, foliage, and seeds — all three can be used in the kitchen. The blooms are savory while the foliage is more peppery. The seeds can even be pickled and used as a substitution for capers, if you’re a fan of capers!

Pansies

These beautiful blooms have a fresh flavor that makes them a gorgeous addition to summery drinks. Freezing them into ice cubes adds festive flair to any get together or garden party!

Roses

Roses bring joy to any garden, but they can also be a joy in salads, seasoning mixes, teas, or your favorite drinks. The petals can be eaten raw, dried, or used to create infusions to add their sweet floral flavor to your next cuppa or cocktail. Remove the white portions of the petals before consuming them — and be certain your rose has been grown organically!

Squash Blossom

You can enjoy the male flowers from your squash plants without sacrificing any squash! Male flowers grow on longer, thinner stems and grow nearer the outside of the plant, whereas female flowers grow nearer the center and have a small fruit where the bloom meets the stem.

Violets

Have you ever tried candied violets? They look and taste wonderful. If you’re a baker, add using candied violets to decorate a cake to your “must do” list! Their sweet, floral flavor is also excellent in infusions.

Want customized care tips for your edible flowering plants or just want to talk plants with people? Join us in our Mesh Community to chat with plant people from around the world!