You can have your bouquet and eat it too! Did you know some of your favourite herbs and vegetables have edible flowers?
When you think about food gardening, you might be thinking about a traditional vegetable patch or fruit trees. But did you know there’s a range of more common garden plants that have edible flowers? Growing a floral garden can give you a view both outside and on your plate.
8 flowers you might like to consider
- fuchsia
- pansy
- geranium
- rocket
- kale
- coriander
- borage
- calendula
These flowers can be used in many different ways, and have different flavours, so – after you make sure they’re the right type and safe to eat – give them a try and start experimenting! Read on for ideas to get you started.
1. Decorate cakes
Pansy and fuchsia are just a couple of the colourful additions you can make to your cake creations. Fuschias can have a tart taste, which nicely contrasts sweet desserts.
2. Make friends with salad
Rocket and kale flowers can be mixed in along with the leaves for a great salad. Add some pansy and geranium – either whole or chopped up – for extra splashes of colour.
It may also either brighten or dampen your day to know that coriander flowers are edible. The little white flowers that grow when the coriander plant is ‘going to seed' can be used in your favourite dishes.
3. Create impressive garnishes
Borage flowers taste like cucumbers, perfect for most drinks and dishes, but best of all their vibrant colour and fun star shape are a perfect final touch to the look of your dish.
4. Brighten up your ice cubes
Why can’t your cool drinks be beautiful? Scented geraniums make for great decorations in ice cubes. They come in different varieties that taste like their name – including lemon, nutmeg and orange varieties. Borage flowers and calendula petals are also fun beverage additions.
5. Colour your ice cream
Fuchsia and geranium can be mixed into homemade ice cream for a refreshing colour and flavour, or you can add petals on top with a few whole flowers to decorate your treats.
6. Brew a relaxing tea
Calendula and borage are great additions to refreshing hot or iced teas – for decoration as well as their calming aroma. Discover other flowers and herbs you could grow at home to have fresh tea at your fingertips.
Find out more local gardening tips
Want to get your edible flower garden started? Find beginner tips in our food gardening hub.