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Beautiful and Delicious Edible Flowers for Your Garden

We often choose flowers for our gardens based on their beauty and how easy they are to care for. However, there’s another reason you should grow some varieties: they can add another dimension to your cooking!

There are more than 200 edible flower varieties that you can easily add to your personal garden or grow inside. Many are amazing in teas and other beverages, while you can use others to make a combination of savory and sweet dishes.

So which ones are edible? We’ve got a short list to get you started.

Calendula

calendula flowers.
Image credit: Depositphotos.

Calendula is not only edible, but it’s also so easy to grow in a garden! The flower comes in different varieties and adds both color and flavor to your dishes. Separate the petals (the edible part) and sprinkle them fresh in rice or salad.

You can also dry calendula out and use it later to season more savory dishes. The petals taste peppery or tangy, although each variety brings something new to the dish.

Chives

blooming chives
Image credit: Depositphotos

Chives are a great way to add flavor to a dish, but did you know they’re actually a flower? The flowers should be harvested right after they open and tend to resemble a garlicky-onion combo.

Add chives to your salad or various sauces to add extra dimension. They also make for good additions to butter or spreads.

Chamomile

a field of chamomile flowers.
Image credit: Depositphotos.

Chamomile is a great edible flower to add to your drinks. German chamomile especially does well in tea and gives off a flowery-earthy flavor.

Chamomile can also be used in desserts, or you can add it to cereal. A word of caution, however: if you’re allergic to ragweed, it’s best to avoid this flower.

Elderflower

Elderflower blossoms on wooden background, close up
Image Credit: Shutterstock.

When it comes to elderflowers, you have to be careful. The actual flower is consumable, but the roots, stems, and leaves are toxic. So make sure you only eat the flowers and cook them before you do to get rid of the mild toxins.

That said, brewing elderflowers in teas and using them in desserts such as cakes, tarts, and jams can add a sweet touch.

Lilac

purple lilac tree flowers.
Image credit: Backyard Garden Lover.

Lilacs are my favorite all-time flower. I simply love the scent of them and many of my perfumes have a lilac note.

Lilacs are also considered excellent for culinary use, particularly when infused into syrups and drinks. You can also candy them for a snack or deep fry them for a more savory treat.

Hibiscus

red flowering hibiscus shrub.
Image credit: Depositphotos.

Hibiscus is another flower you often find in tea blends, offering up a flavor that’s both tart and sweet at the same time. You can also create infusions with them, like syrups, or add them to your desserts.

While some flowers need to be cooked prior to eating, hibiscus can be eaten raw or cooked.

Lavender

Blooming lavender sprig in the foreground close up Background purple lavender field in blur
Image Credit: Shutterstock.

Lavender isn’t my favorite scent, but I do love the way it tastes in food. This is probably because it brings a strong herbal flavor with a hint of sweetness.

It’s one of those edible flowers where a little goes a long way, but you can add them to a variety of food and beverages, including desserts and jellies, or make them part of your marinade.

Rose

pretty pink roses.
Image credit: Backyard Garden Lover.

Roses are more than just gorgeous flowers to adorn your bouquets or grow in your garden. They are also flavorful additions to a lot of cooked goods, but it’s important to choose the right varieties to take advantage of the flavor palate.

You can use rose in teas, or infuse it in desserts and beverages. Some people add it to honey or infuse vinegar, while others add the flowers to salad for a floral touch.

Bee Balm

Lemon beebalm flowers.
Image credit: Depositphotos.

Bee balm flowers are stunning additions to any garden with their robust

flavor. The flowers and leaves are both edible and resemble the taste you’d get with Earl Grey tea.

You can infuse this plant into garnishes and butter, or brew it with your favorite tea blend. Some like to add it to their ice cream, as well.

Squash Blossom

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Where many of the plants we named are good with desserts, squash blossoms are more like vegetables, bringing a savory taste to your food. The flowers are big, which makes them suitable for stuffing.

You can also bake the squash blossom or deep-fry it. There are so many possibilities!

Honeysuckle

coral honeysuckle
Image credit: Depositphotos.

One of the earliest memories I have of honeysuckles is removing the flower and sucking the sweet nectar out of it. The blossoms on this flower can be used to garnish several dishes and add a light touch of elegance.

It might be tempting to eat the berries, too, but refrain. They are toxic.

Author

  • Bonnie's interests include hiking, a passion she nurtured while living in Upstate New York, and cooking, gardening, and home decorating. These hobbies allow her to express her creativity and connect with nature, providing a well-rounded balance to her busy life. Through her professional achievements, community involvement, and personal pursuits, she embodies a holistic approach to life, dedicated to service, growth, and well-being.

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