Edible Flowers

There are many types of flowers which are edible and can be used to float in soups, add to salad greens or simply used as plate decoration. Our chart includes both common and botanical name, color and flavor profile.

Article by: Barbara Bowman

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Chart Of Edible Flowers

Name	Botanical Name	Blossom Color	Flavor
Anise hyssop	Agastache foeniculum	light lavender	sweet, anise-like, licorice
Apple blossom	Malus spp.	pale pink	delicate floral
Arugula	Eruca sativa	white	nutty, spicy
Basil	Ocimum basilicum	white, blue, pink, lavender	varies by breed
Bee balm	Monarda didyma	red, pink	lemony, minty
Begonia, tuberous	Begonia X tuberhybrida	red, yellow, pink, orange, white	crisp, sour, lemony
Borage	Borage officinalis	bluish-lavender	cucumber-like
Calendula	Calendula officinalis	orange, yellow	spicy, tangy, peppery
Carnation	Dianthus spp.	pink, red, lavender	spicy, peppery, clove-like
Chive	Allium spp.	lavender	onion-like
Chrysanthemum	Chrysanthemum spp.	yellow, white	slightly to very bitter
Cornflower	Centaurea cyanus	blue, pink	sweet to spicy, clove-like
Daisy, English	Bellis perennis	white, pastels	tangy, leafy
Day Lily (Lily Buds)	Hemerocallis spp.	yellow, orange, red	sweet, crunchy
Dianthus (pinks)	Dianthus spp.	pink, many colors	clove-like
Fennel	Foeniculum vulgare	yellow	sweet, licorice
Fuschia	Fuschia X hybrida	bi-colors, varied	acidic
Garlic Chive	Allium	white, pink	garlic-like
Geranium	Pelargonium spp.	pink, red, white, peach	varies by breed
Hollyhock	Althaea rosea	pink, white, lavender, red	bland
Impatiens	Impatiens wallerana	pink, many colors	bland
Johnny-jump-ups	Viola tricolor	purple, white, yellow, bi-colors	sweet to bland
Lavender	Lavandula angustifolia	purple	floral
Lilac	Syringa vulgaris	lavender	lemony, floral, pungent
Mallow, malva	Malva spp.	purple, pink, white	delicate, sweet
Marigold	Tagetes spp.	orange, yellow	spicy to bitter
Nasturtium	Tropaeolum majus	red, orange, yellow	peppery
Orchids		purple/white	crisp, warm and soft
Pansy	Viola X Wittrockiana	purple, white, yellow, bi-colors	sweet to tart
Parrot-beak	Clianthus puniceus	yellow, red, bi-colors	crisp, leafy
Petunia	Petunia X hybrida	many colors	leafy
Pineapple Sage	Salvia elegans	red	sweet, pineapple
Primrose	Primula vulgaris	many colors	sweet to bland
Rose	Rosa spp.	many colors	sweet, aromatic
Rosemary	Rosemarinus officinalis	light blue	sweet, pine-like
Sage	Salvia officinalis	many colors	varies by breed
Scarlet Runner Beans	Phaseolus coccineus	scarlet	nectar, bean-like
Snapdragon	Antirrhinum majus	pink, yellow, white, bi-color	bland to bitter
Squash Blossom	Cucurbita spp.	yellow	nectar, sweet
Stock	Matthiola spp.	purple, white, pink, yellow	spicy to sweet, aromatic
Sunflower	Helianthus annus	gold, yellow	leafy
Tansy	Tanacetun vulgare	rust, gold	bitter
Thyme	Thymus vulgaris	white, purple	lemony
Tulip	Tulipa spp.	many colors	crisp, cucumber-like
Violet/Viola	Viola odorata	white, purple	sweet, nectar
Petal Confetti	Many Varieties	multi-colored	eclectic

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Where To Buy Edible Flowers

The best source is your home garden if possible. You'll be able to grow you favorite varities and you can keep them "organic". You may also find pesticide-free flowers at your favorite produce market. We also have a good online source:

Nature's Best Garden - growers of edible flowers, herbs, herb tips, tiny vegetables and more for the home and professional chef.

Edible Flower Tips And Cautions

Not all flowers are edible, don't eat any flower you are unsure of.
Don't eat flowers purchased from nurseries unless you know they are organically grown
People with allergies should not eat flowers
Only the flower petals should be eaten, not the pistils or stamens.
Grow your own flowers for eating or purchase only from sources that grow flowers for food.

Edible Flowers

Chart Of Edible Flowers

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Where To Buy Edible Flowers

Edible Flower Tips And Cautions

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