Edible flowers

[Creator]

A basic knowledge is needed for proper identification of edible flowers. Use several books with clear photos to cross reference information on flowers, talk to your nursery people where you purchase your plants to help you select the proper species for your home garden, do web searches under the Latin name for additional information and most of all, if in doubt, leave it alone.
Always be sure that the flowers you use for your recipes have not been treated with any sort of pesticides such as the flowers you would get from a florist. Growing your own flowers is the safest route to go since you will know what they have been subjected to.



Common Name Botanical Name Blossom Color

Anise hyssop Agastache foeniculum light lavender

Apple blossom Malus spp. pale pink

Arugula Eruca sativa white

Basil Ocimum basilicum white, blue, pink,
lavender

Bee balm Monarda didyma red, pink

Begonia,tuberous Begonia X tuberhybrida red, yellow, pk, or,
white

Borage Borago officinalis bluish-lavender

Calendula Calendula officinalis orange, yellow

Carnation Dianthus spp. pink, red, lavender

Chive Allium spp. lavender

Chrysanthemum Chrysanthemum spp. yellow, white

Cornflower Centaurea cyanus blue, pink

Daisy, English Bellis perennis white, pastels

Day Lily Hemerocallis spp. yellow, orange, red

Dianthus (pinks) Dianthus spp. pink, many colors

Fennel Foeniculum vulgare yellow

Fuschia Fuschia X hybrida bi-colors, varied

Garlic Chive Allium white, pink

Geranium Pelargonium spp. pink, red, white,
peach

Hollyhock Althaea rosea pink, white,
lavender, red

Impatiens Impatiens wallerana pink, many colors

Johnny-jump-ups Viola tricolor purple, wh, yellow,
bi-colours

Lavender Lavandula angustifolia purple

Lilac Syringa vulgaris lavender

Mallow,malva Malva spp. purple, pink, white

Nasturtium Tropaeolum majus red, orange, yellow

Pansy Viola X Wittrockiana purple, wh,
yellow, bi-colors

Petunia Petunia X hybrida many colors

Pineapple Sage Salvia elegans red

Primrose Primula vulgaris many colors

Rose Rosa spp. many colors

Rosemary Rosemarinus officinalis light blue

Sage Salvia officinalis many colors

Scarlet-Runner-Beans Phaseolus coccineus scarlet

Snapdragon Antirrhinum majus pink, yellow, white

Squash Blossom Cucurbita spp. yellow

Stock Matthiola spp. purple, white, pink,
yellow

Sunflower Helianthus annus gold, yellow

Tansy Tanacetun vulgare rust, gold

Thyme Thymus vulgaris white, purple

Tulip Tulipa spp. many colors

Violet Viola odorata white, purple

[Summer]

So far the only edible flower I've tried is a rose. The rose petals tasted a bit sweet and good to me. I used to grow quite a few of the flowers you listed, but the only one's I still grow are lilacs and roses. I will have to try the lilacs this year. I'm lucky enough to have 3 large bushes where I'm living for now. They are my most favorite smelling flower, so when they come in bloom each spring, I put as many of them around the house as I can to enjoy their beautiful smell for a few days.