Edible flowers
Edible flowers can add an extra layer of colour, smell and flavour to certain dishes. You can also use them as cut flowers in vases at home as many of these are visually appealing plants. Having edible flowers in your garden also adds that extra security factor should a child put part of a plant in their mouth. Not all flowers are edible, for example, daffodils are poisonous so don't pick a plant if you are not sure but we'll be looking at some of the flowers you can eat. It is still important to remove the insides of the flowers, for example stamen, anthers etc.
Asters (Asteraceae)
This huge group of plants includes chrysanthemum, cornflower, dahlia, daisies, pot marigold and sunflowers that have edible flowers. Add petals or flowers to salads or as a garnish. The seeds of sunflower and safflower are edible once they have been dried on the plant, removed from their outer casing and washed.
Sunflower petals can go well in lightly cooked dishes such as stir frys or try blanching the head of the sunflower to make it edible after seeds and petals have been removed. The aster family also includes artichoke, endive and salsify, despite their different forms.
Cucurbits
From this family the squash and courgette (zucchini) flowers are edible and picked after the squash has started to grow. Once cleaned out use whole or chopped up in rice dishes etc. Due to their size some people cook them whole, stuffed with soft cheese.
Evening primrose
Evening primrose and fuchsia, both are from the same family, have edible petals, which are used as garnishes in salads and on mains.
Image credit: Henry Perks Unsplash
Herbs
Although from different plant families, many herbs have edible flowers that make a great addition to your meal. Plants such as basil, bergamot, chive, dill, fennel and lavender have edible flowers. Lavender is often used in oils or dried due to the smell and the relaxing feelings associated with it.
Edible flowers from other plant families
Other edible flowers you may wish to try include:
Apple blossom
Cape jasmine
Clover, although it comes from the green manures/nitrogen fixing winter plants the clover flower is edible.
Hibiscus, used dried in herbal teas
Honeysuckle
Magnolia
Nasturtiums (which are related to the brassica family)
Pansy
Peony
Rose petals. Rose petals have a tradition is confectionery such as Turkish delight and as an infusion either in drinks or warm bath water.
If you intend to eat any flowers/petals in this category please consider the use of fertilizers and insecticides, which can stick to plants and thus you may become ill after eating these harmful chemicals. For safe ways to protect edibles see our blog posts or videos as they pop up.
