An ornamental edible garden combines beauty and function by featuring plants that are both visually appealing and edible. It’s an excellent way to grow your own food while adding aesthetic value to your outdoor space. The flowers you choose for your garden can provide a variety of textures, colors, and flavors, along with attracting beneficial insects. Here are some of the best flowers to consider when designing an ornamental edible garden.
1. Nasturtiums
Nasturtiums are among the most popular flowers for an edible garden due to their vibrant colors and peppery taste. They come in shades of orange, red, and yellow, and both the leaves and flowers are edible. The flowers can be used to add a zesty kick to salads, or they can be stuffed with cheese and herbs for an appetizer. Nasturtiums also attract pollinators, helping to boost your garden’s productivity.
2. Marigolds
Marigolds are another versatile flower that works well in an edible garden. While they are known for their bright yellow and orange blooms, marigolds also offer edible petals with a slightly citrusy flavor. These petals can be added to salads, or used to garnish dishes for a pop of color. Marigolds are also excellent companion plants, as they help repel pests like aphids and nematodes.
3. Violas and Pansies
Violas and pansies are often used in ornamental gardens for their wide range of colors and cheerful appearance. These flowers are not only beautiful but also edible, with a mild, sweet flavor. They make an attractive addition to salads and can be crystallized for decoration on cakes and pastries. The flowers are rich in antioxidants and vitamin C, making them a nutritious addition to your garden.
4. Lavender
Lavender’s delicate purple flowers are iconic in many gardens, known for their soothing scent and elegant appearance. Beyond being ornamental, lavender is edible, and its flowers can be used to flavor baked goods, teas, and even savory dishes. The flowers can be dried and stored to use throughout the year. Additionally, lavender attracts pollinators like bees and butterflies, making it a valuable plant in your garden ecosystem.
5. Borage
Borage is an easy-to-grow herb with striking blue, star-shaped flowers. Its blooms are not only beautiful but also have a cucumber-like flavor that can be added to salads, beverages, and desserts. Borage is particularly valued for its ability to attract bees and other pollinators. The plant’s leaves are also edible, though they are best used when young, as older leaves can be rough in texture.
6. Chamomile
Chamomile, known for its small, daisy-like flowers, is another great addition to an ornamental edible garden. The flowers have a sweet, apple-like taste and can be used to make calming herbal tea. Chamomile also offers medicinal benefits, such as helping to alleviate stress and improve digestion. Beyond its culinary and medicinal uses, chamomile’s delicate blooms are visually pleasing and attract beneficial insects.
7. Calendula (Pot Marigold)
Calendula, or pot marigold, is a bright, cheery flower that adds a burst of color to any garden. Its petals are edible and have a mild, peppery taste, making them perfect for adding to salads, soups, and rice dishes. Calendula is also used in herbal medicine and skincare, as it has anti-inflammatory and healing properties. These flowers attract pollinators like bees and butterflies, further enhancing the biodiversity of your garden.
8. Squash Blossoms
Squash plants, including zucchini and pumpkin, produce beautiful yellow flowers that are not only decorative but also edible. Squash blossoms are prized in culinary circles, often stuffed with cheese or other savory fillings, and they make a flavorful addition to stir-fries, salads, or soups. These large, showy flowers add visual interest to your edible garden while providing a tasty treat in the kitchen.
9. Hibiscus
Hibiscus flowers are vibrant and eye-catching, with shades ranging from red and pink to yellow and orange. They are also edible, with their tart, cranberry-like flavor making them ideal for teas, syrups, and jams. In many cultures, hibiscus is used to make refreshing beverages, and it is known for its health benefits, including its high vitamin C content. Hibiscus can thrive in warmer climates and is an excellent choice for adding both beauty and flavor to an ornamental edible garden.
10. Dandelions
Dandelions are often considered weeds, but they are incredibly versatile and valuable plants. Both the leaves and the flowers are edible, and the flowers can be used to make wine, jelly, and even fritters. The bright yellow flowers are eye-catching and bring a cheerful touch to any garden. Dandelions are also beneficial to the garden, as they help to improve soil quality by deepening the root structure and bringing up nutrients.
11. Sunflowers
Sunflowers are well-known for their towering height and large, sunny blooms. While their main appeal lies in their striking appearance, sunflower petals and seeds are both edible. The seeds can be harvested and eaten raw or roasted, and the petals can be used to garnish salads or desserts. Sunflowers are also excellent for attracting pollinators and birds to your garden, creating a lively, dynamic environment.
12. Cilantro (Coriander)
Cilantro is a fragrant herb that produces small, delicate white flowers when allowed to bolt. These flowers are edible and have a milder flavor compared to the leaves, but they can still be used in salads, salsas, and garnishes. The plant itself is highly aromatic, and both its leaves and seeds (known as coriander) are commonly used in cooking. Cilantro’s tiny flowers also attract pollinators, adding ecological value to your garden.
13. Sweet Alyssum
Sweet alyssum is a low-growing, trailing plant that produces clusters of tiny white, pink, or purple flowers. While often used in flower beds for its fragrance and cascading growth habit, sweet alyssum’s flowers are also edible. They have a mild, honey-like flavor that makes them a delightful addition to salads and desserts. This plant also serves as a ground cover, helping to suppress weeds and retain moisture in the soil.
14. Roses
Roses aren’t just beautiful to look at—they are also edible. Rose petals have a mild, sweet flavor and can be used to make jams, jellies, syrups, and teas. Rose water, a byproduct of distilling rose petals, is a common ingredient in many Middle Eastern and Mediterranean dishes. Roses come in various colors and can add elegance and romance to any edible garden while offering a variety of culinary possibilities.
15. Zinnias
Zinnias are cheerful, colorful flowers that are easy to grow and add a pop of color to an ornamental edible garden. While zinnias themselves are not typically consumed, they are known to attract pollinators, which help other edible plants in the garden thrive. Additionally, zinnia flowers can be used to create beautiful floral arrangements for your table, enhancing both the beauty and the harvest of your garden.
Tips for Growing an Ornamental Edible Garden
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Choose Companion Plants: Some flowers, like marigolds and nasturtiums, can help deter pests that might otherwise damage your vegetables and herbs. Incorporating companion planting strategies can benefit both the aesthetics and the productivity of your edible garden.
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Diverse Color Palette: A mix of colorful flowers will create visual interest, making your garden a multi-sensory experience. Combine different flower shapes, sizes, and colors for a visually striking and functional garden.
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Plant for Seasons: Select flowers that bloom at different times of the year to ensure your garden remains vibrant and productive year-round. This also helps you maintain a steady supply of fresh edible flowers.
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Soil and Sunlight: Just like other garden plants, flowers need the right growing conditions. Ensure your flowers receive adequate sunlight and are planted in well-draining soil. Some flowers, like lavender and sunflowers, require more sun, while others, like violets, do better with partial shade.
Conclusion
An ornamental edible garden can be a delightful addition to your outdoor space, combining beauty with practicality. By selecting a variety of edible flowers, you’ll not only have a stunning garden but also a flavorful one. The flowers listed above are all excellent choices for adding color, texture, and flavor to your garden while also attracting pollinators and beneficial insects. With the right combination of plants, you can enjoy a garden that provides visual interest and delicious, fresh ingredients throughout the year.
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