At first glance, the sight of a salad adorned with fresh flowers might appear attractive to you, yet unusual. You might wonder if anyone actually eats flowers… And the answer is yes! Not only are many types of flower edible; they can add a distinct and delicious touch to many dishes!
It’s important to remember that not all flowers are edible. In fact, some can even be poisonous. So this is not an area in which you want to conduct culinary experiments. Instead, make sure you stick to this list.
Anise Hyssop
Angelica
Apple
Arugula
Basil
Begonia
Bergamot
Borage
Calendula
Chamomile
Chervil
Chicory
Chives
Chrysanthemum
Cilantro
Clover
Cornflower
Dandelion
Day lilies
Dianthus
Dill
English Daisy
Fennel
Garlic
Hollyhock
Honeysuckle
Impatiens
Johnny-Jump-Up
Lavender
Lilac
Marigold
Mint
Nasturtium
Pansy
Pea
Phlox
Primrose
Queen Anne’s Lace
Rose
Rosemary
Safflower
Sage
Sorrel
Squash blossoms
Sunflower
Violet
Most of these flowers can be easily grown in your garden, with appropriate care. Of course, some (like apple blossoms or squash blossoms) are not just ornamental flowers, but require dedication to an entirely different type of plant. Squash is obviously a great choice for your vegetable garden, so it might please you to know that you can eat the blossoms, too. But you probably wouldn’t plant an entire apple tree just for the flowers.
Generally speaking, it is best to eat these flowers only if you purchase them from the produce section at the grocery store, or grow them yourself. Varieties meant to be purely decorative might have been sprayed with chemicals that should not be consumed. Naturally, you can control this factor by simply growing your own edible flowers.
Of course, most of these flowers also make terrific additions to your garden. Call us for advice if you’re considering a new decorative flower bed, and we can help you design a landscape feature that is both attractive and edible if that idea appeals to you!
