Start deciding which edible flowers to grow as early as possible in the year so you can plan and make sure you have the seeds or plants available and that your soil is prepared, ready to sow and plant at the right time of year. It is a great experience growing edible flowers because they look great in the garden and provide nectar for pollinators and pick some for home-cooked food, cocktails, and even medicines. Here are four things you should keep in mind when you decide to grow edible flowers.
1. Flavour
Just like any other food, edible flowers all taste a little different. Some are spicy or peppery like Nasturtiums, some have a little zing such as Marigolds, and others are very delicate such as Violas and Pansies. Consider the tastes when you look at which seeds to sow.
2. Colour
With so many edible flower options, you can even choose colours that fit your own garden colour scheme. So take a look at what kind of style and feel you would like your garden to be, and then look for edible flowers that match! If you are looking for white, try Chamomile and Alyssum for pretty white flowers. Perhaps you would rather have vibrant colours such as the blue Cornflower and pink Fuchsia.
3. Usage
When you think about sowing and planting, edible flowers consider what you will use them for. Will you want to use them as a salad garnish or perhaps on a cocktail? Will you want to use them as a medicine, such as a herbal tea or in a tonic. The usages are wide and varied, so do some research first to plan what you would like to grow to meet all of your usage needs.
4. Space
It is a good idea to look at how much space you have so you know how much to sow and grow. There are so many edible flowers to grow that you shouldn’t feel restricted by space if you have a smaller area or even a balcony. You can grow in hanging baskets, pots and containers or larger beds and borders - there are many options. Here is a list of some popular edible flowers:
- Hibiscus
- Scented Geraniums
- Rose
- Peony
- Calendula
- Gladiolus
- Squash flowers
- Borage
- Day Lily
- Dandelion
- Magnolia
- Honeysuckle
- Camellia
- Sunflower
As you can see, there are many to grow, and these are just a few. Please do your research and make sure they are safe for you personally to eat. Always try just a little first and find out what the health benefits are of each.
We have many options for edible flowers in store, come and visit us where our team will be happy to help.
