It’s time to start planning your summer garden and one way to combine food production with aesthetic appeal is to grow edible flowers. You can add flowers to your salads and teas or use them as pretty garnishes for all your favorite dishes.
With just a little patch of dirt, compost and a good hose, you can create a beautiful garden that’s a source of food too!
Stick to flowers you have grown yourself so that you aren’t ingesting any pesticides and pick out the stamens and pistils before you much on your bouquets. If you have allergies, take it easy on the blooms until you are sure you won’t have a bad reaction.
Angelica
These dainty flowers range from rose to lavender and have a faint licorice flavor.
Chrysanthemum (mums)
You can eat the petals of these bouquet staples to add a little peppery spice to your food.
Bachelor’s Button
Only eat the petals of these pretty posies as other parts can be bitter.
Fuchsia
These always remind me of little ballerinas. Delicious little ballerinas!
Borage
This easy-to-grow herb has many uses; brew the furry leaves in a tea to knit broken bones or add the flowers to your food – they taste like cucumber!
Gladiolus
These are pretty bland, but so pretty you won’t mind a bit. Use only the petals.
Carnations
Pick off the petals, which have a delicate flavor, and add them to your salads for a little color.
Hibiscus
These can be used in a tea or the petals can be added to salads. They are pretty tart and taste like cranberries so don’t add too many!
Chamomile
Dry these little daisy-like flowers to brew a tea or pick the petals to eat.
Impatiens
The petals don’t have much flavor, but they sure are pretty.
Jasmine
Use as a tea or in dishes as a fragrant garnish.
Nasturtium
These are one of the most popular edible flowers and it’s understandable as their peppery flavor is a great addition to salads. You can use the flowers as a garnish too or add the leaves into your greens.
Pansy
These come in a wide variety of colors and you can eat the whole flower.
Rose
Use petals to lightly flavor drinks or salads.
Chicory
You can eat the petals or buds from this lovely plant.
Violets
From light to dark, these gorgeous flowers are a popular choice for garnishes and desserts while a couple floating in your drink will make you think of summer days lazing on the lawn.
Johnny Jump Up
I’ve saved the best for last! These are beautiful and come in a variety of colors from deep purple to yellow. They have a minty flavor and can be added to salads and drinks or used as a garnish.
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