Edible flowers

Edible flowers are perfect for adding colour to your dishes, drinks and flower beds during the summer season. Annual flowers have the great advantage of blooming all summer long, unlike perennials which only bloom for a certain period of time, but grow back on their own year after year.

Annual edible flowers :

-Nasturtium(Tropaeolum majus)

Nasturtium is very versatile, all its parts can be eaten: the buds, leaves, flowers and even the seeds. It has a strong taste reminiscent of watercress. The seeds are even more pungent, reminiscent of wasabi. The buds can be used to make capers, the leaves to make butter, the flowers in salads or ice cubes, and the seeds as pepper to season dishes.

-Geranium(Pelargonium sp.)

 

It is a very aromatic flower with a fruity taste. It is used as a garnish, in ice cubes and in lemonade.

-Verbena(Verbena sp.)

 

The flowers are eaten as a garnish. They can be dried to make herbal teas, but care should be taken not to consume them in large quantities or by pregnant or breastfeeding women because of their medicinal properties. It is known to help relieve stomach problems and migraines.

-Borage(Borago officinalis)

The taste of the flower is reminiscent of cucumber. It can be used fresh in salads, in spring rolls or in ice cubes. It also makes an excellent herbal tea when dried.

-Snapdragon(Antirrhinus majus)

 

The flower has a strong fragrance and a slightly bitter taste. It can be eaten as a garnish or candied. The snapdragon thrives in partial shade.

-Begonia(Begonia gr. Semperflorens)

 

A flower with an acidic taste and a crunchy texture, it is excellent as a condiment or to accompany desserts. A very fragrant jelly can be made from the fresh flowers. Begonia thrives in partial shade.

Marigolds(Callendula Officinalis)

 

Marigolds have a slightly peppery taste. They can be eaten in salads and as a garnish, as well as in herbal tea when dried. The flower buds can also be made into capers.

Edible perennial flowers:

-Hosta(Hosta sp.) Flowering July to August

 

The flowers have a taste reminiscent of iceberg lettuce. They are delicious in salads, but can also be fried or pickled, as they are not too fragile. Young hosta shoots can also be eaten in spring, raw or sautéed, and are reminiscent of endive. Later in the summer, the leaves are still edible, but become tougher and more bitter as the season progresses. Hostas grow well in the shade.

-Daylily(Hemerocallis sp.) Flowering July to August

They have a light taste and a crunchy texture. They produce very solid petals, perfect for stuffing like endive. They can also be eaten fried or in salads. The dried pistils can be used to flavour dishes and sauces. As with hostas, the young shoots can be eaten in the spring, reminiscent of leeks with a light taste. In Japan, it is grown as a vegetable. Care must be taken where you plant the daylily, especially the fawn one, as it can quickly become invasive in a flower bed.

-Hollyhock(Alcea Rosea) Flowering August

 

Its taste is not very pronounced, it is very mild. The large flowers can be stuffed or used in salads. The flower buds can also be eaten.

-Monarde(Mornarda didyma or Mornarda fistulosa) Flowering July to August

 

It has a tangy taste reminiscent of lemon or bergamot. The leaves and flowers are edible; fresh they add a nice tartness to summer dishes and drinks, and dried they make a delicious herbal tea. The leaves can also be made into butter and the flowers can be crystallized.

Lavender(Lavendula angustifolia) Flowering late June to early August

Lavender has a very strong floral taste, so it should be used sparingly. It can be used fresh or dried, mainly to make desserts: biscuits, crème brûlée or syrups for example. It can also be used to flavour vinaigrettes and oils.

Annuals or perennials, depending on the variety

- Pansy(Viola sp.)

 

It is soft and has a slightly sweet and sour taste with a hint of mint. Its shape and bright colours are always impressive. Ideal in salads, on desserts, in ice cubes and candied in sugar. It can also be dried and used as an herbal tea. It grows well in partial shade.

 

-Carnation(Dianthus sp.) Flowering June to July

 

Very fragrant, the carnation flower has a taste slightly reminiscent of nutmeg. It can be eaten in salads, as a garnish, in lemonade or candied.

 

Use natural products for everything that is edible. We recommend using fertilisers made from chicken manure. If you have insect problems, you can try a simple water spray or use black soap.

Happy gardening and happy tasting!