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Growing a flower garden has its perks: it boosts curb appeal, provides fresh cuttings, and supports pollinators like butterflies.
But here’s another unexpected benefit: an edible flower garden. Edible flowers are pretty and versatile. They add the beauty that your garden desires while serving an additional purpose. They can decorate cakes, make tea, enhance salads, and flavor beverages.
From vibrant pansies to fragrant lavender, here are 14 blooms that will excite your garden and elevate your dinner plate.
Nasturtium
With their vivid flowers, Nasturtiums bring a splash of color to any garden. Both the flowers and leaves are edible, adding a decorative touch and a peppery flavor to salads.
The taste is spicier when the plants are grown in sunny, warm conditions and is best when the leaves are young, as older leaves may become bitter. Nasturtiums are easy to grow and excellent companion plants in herb or vegetable gardens.
Calendula
Calendula is a bright and cheerful plant that enhances any garden. Plant it in early spring to enjoy its vibrant flowers from late spring until early summer.
Calendula flowers and petals can be used in cooking. While the leaves are edible, they tend to be bitter and are commonly added to salads for an extra bite.
Calendulas are easy to grow in well-drained soil and thrive in gentle sunlight. They also help in pest control and deter deer and rabbits, making them beneficial for protecting vegetable gardens.
Rose
Roses are a classic feature in many stunning gardens and bouquets. Every variety of rose is edible, with the most fragrant ones typically offering the best flavor. If you plan to eat roses, ensure they are completely pesticide-free. To add a unique touch, you can incorporate rose petals into cakes, cookies, and salads.
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Lavender
Lavender (Lavandula angustifolia) is most commonly used for tea due to its sweet, floral aroma and flavor. This purple flower‘s fragrance is known for its relaxing and stress-relieving qualities. Lavender can be a great addition to many dishes, syrups, and tea.
Hibiscus
With their large, conspicuous, trumpet-shaped flowers, hibiscus can resemble tropical roses. The blooms can be single or double and come in various colors, including white, pink, red, and yellow.
Hibiscus plants love sun and heat and thrive in garden beds and containers as long as they are well watered and protected from winter’s cold. The entire plant is edible and can be enjoyed in a refreshing drinks or teas.
Bee Balm
Bee Balm adds bright color to borders and attracts hummingbirds and beneficial insects. It is best in full sun to partial shade in rich, well-drained soil. Water regularly and manage pests like mildew and insects.
Chamomile
Chamomile enjoys full sun but can tolerate light shade. It prefers well-drained soil and is drought-tolerant once established. It’s generally easy to grow from seed and can self-seed prolifically.
Chamomile tea, with its gentle, apple-like flavor, is famous for its ability to induce calmness and improve sleep. It’s also gentle on the stomach, making it a great after-meal drink.
Daylily
Daylilies are versatile and hardy. With their variety of colors and sizes, they are suitable for any border and also work well in larger plantings. They prefer slightly acidic, well-drained soil. Water regularly, especially in dry periods, and deadhead spent flowers.
Chives
Chives are one of the few perennial vegetables that can thrive in nearly all kinds of soil and weather conditions. These hardy plants are known for their slender, grass-like leaves and delicate onion-like flavor. They are a perfect addition to creamy potato dishes, providing a subtle and fresh onion taste.
Additionally, the purple flowerheads of chives can add a vibrant touch to any garden space, attract pollinators, and bring beauty and color to your outdoor area.
Pansies
Pansies are vibrant, fast-growing flowers perfect for containers or garden beds. Their bright and bi-colored flowers are attractive and edible. Pansies are favored in culinary uses, appearing both fresh in salads and candied in desserts.
They grow best in locations that receive full morning sunlight but are protected from harsh afternoon heat. Plant pansies in well-drained, fertile soil rich in organic matter to promote plentiful blooms.
Dandelion
The dandelion is a resilient plant that thrives in various environments. Often dismissed as a common weed, dandelions actually offer many benefits. They can be consumed or used in natural remedies. Every part of the dandelion, from the yellow flower to the roots, is edible. The green leaves can be a nutritious addition to salads, teas and other dishes.
Salvia
Salvia adds vertical interest to borders and attracts pollinators like bees and butterflies with its colorful blooms. Requires full sun and well-draining soil. Water moderately, ensure mature plants do not remain soaked, and deadhead for continuous blooms.
Echinacea
Echinacea is widely recognized for enhancing the immune system, especially beneficial during cold and flu seasons. Echinacea prefers full sun and well-drained soil.
Begonia
Hardy Begonia features beautiful, heart-shaped leaves and delicate flowers. It’s a resilient choice for adding a splash of color to the shaded parts of the garden. This plant does best in partial to heavy shade in rich, moist, well-drained soil. Zones 6-9
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