Edible Flowers

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Gardening Tips Herb Growing Flowers You Can Eat

Flowers You Can Eat

Learn how to grow and harvest edible flowers

By Kathy LaLiberte

To add chive blossoms to green salads, remove the central stem and separate the florets.

Nothing says "gourmet" like a sprinkling of colorful flower petals in a salad, a tiny bouquet of Johnny jump-ups on a birthday cake, or a daylily bud in a stir fry. Edible flowers are a fun and easy way to add color and flavor to all sorts of dishes — especially when you can pick them right from your garden.

Most edible flowers are best eaten raw—simply pick and rinse with water. Flowers will taste and look their best right after they have opened, rather than after they have been open for a few days.

Pickled chive blossoms can be added to martinis, bloody Marys, and bagels (with lox and cream cheese).

There are only two important things to remember about edible flowers: The First is that not every flower is edible. Some flowers can be poisonous. So stick with flowers on the list below, or do sufficient research to ensure your safety. The second caution is to avoid flowers that may have been sprayed with an insecticide, fungicide, or herbicide. Because most edible flowers—except for roses—are easy to grow, this is rarely a problem. Be sure to take dandelions off the list unless you have an organic lawn.

For flowers that look good as well as taste good, consider some of the following:

Alliums. Chives, leeks, and garlic are all delicious in green salads, potato and pasta salads, and dips. Remove the central stem from the flower cluster to release the separate florets.

Nasturtiums. Blossoms have a peppery flavor like watercress. All colors and varieties are tasty in salads or as garnishes. Leaves can be eaten, too. Learn how to grow nasturtium from seed here!

Marigolds. Use the tiny flowers of signet marigolds, such as Lemon Gems and Tangerine Gems. Their blossoms have a citrus taste.

Take your drinks to the next level. Freeze edible Johnny jump-up flowers in an ice cube tray and add to your favorite beverage.

Pansies and Johnny jump-ups. These flowers have a wintergreen flavor and are pretty on cakes and other desserts. Glaze with warmed jelly for a jeweled look.

Calendula. An easy and prolific edible flower that's easy to grow from seed right in the garden. Separate the petals from the center of the flower and sprinkle the petals into salads. Colors range from pure yellow to orange and red. Remove spent flowers and the plants will bloom continuously from early summer into late fall.

Anise hyssop. If you like anise, this is the edible flower for you. Separate the florets and add them to sweet or savory dishes. Or use the full flowers to garnish a cheese plate.

Honeysuckle. The blossoms make a pretty addition to salads. Don't use the berries; they're poisonous.

Scarlet runner beans. Mix these bright-red flowers into salads, or in with steamed veggies.

Borage. This fuzzy-leaved herb has sky-blue flowers with a light cucumber taste. Add to fruit salads, and green salads, or freeze in ice cubes for cold drinks.

Bee balm. This member of the mint family has minty-tasting flowers. Colors range from bright red to purple and pink.

Chamomile. English chamomile has small, daisy-like flowers with an apple-like flavor. If you're allergic to ragweed, you might want to avoid chamomile.

Daylily. Daylily buds and flowers taste a bit like asparagus. They can be used as a garnish or can be stuffed or made into fritters. Good in stir-frys, too.

Mint. Like bee balm, all flowers of the mint family are edible and have a pleasant taste. Try lemon balm or spearmint in iced tea.

Squash blossoms. Use these as you would daylilies (see above).

This article was written by Kathy LaLiberte

Website: gardeners.com

Visit this site to find out more information about edible plants, and to read the other articles as well.

I normally write my articles and share them. Today, I just felt like sharing information that I have found because I found it very informative and educational. I enjoy sharing what I find on the web, especially if I know it can benefit others as well as myself.

I will get back to writing my material though. Until then, I hope you will enjoy what I find and share. Again, visit the website. You may see something you like.