Everything You Need to Know About Edible Flowers
You’re allowed to have flowers that serve no other purpose than to be beautiful. After all, they can enhance the overall aesthetics of your yard and bring a smile to your face.
However, some people like having plants and flowers that are both beautiful and functional. In that case, you might start exploring edible flowers. What are edible flowers, what varieties are found in NZ, and how do you grow them? You can find all those answers and more below.
What Are Edible Flowers?
As the name suggests, edible flowers are flowers you can consume (safely). Sometimes, they are used as garnishes, while other times, they are a herb or a central part of the meal. Edible flowers are integral to cuisines all around the world, including Asian, Middle Eastern, and European.
In New Zealand, edible flowers aren’t nearly as often used. Still, that doesn’t mean you won’t find them and can’t grow them yourself!
What Edible Flowers Can You Grow In New Zealand?
You might be surprised by how many flower varieties we have in NZ that you can eat. Some of them are readily advertised as edible flowers, while others just so happen to be safe to eat. We’ll cover a few of the most common varieties below. You can also talk to your local garden store employee about the best edible flowers to grow in your region.
Pineapple Sage
Pineapple sage is a gorgeous red flower and a member of the sage family. These flowers grow in free-draining soil in full sun and can reach heights of up to 1.5m. Many people love growing pineapple sage to garnish their meals, use in fruit salads, and decorate beverages. Their leaves smell like pineapple lumps!
Rose
While you wouldn’t chow down on a rose stem or thorn, rose petals are edible. Their flavours can depend on the variety you choose to grow.
Most people who grow roses to be edible will use them in jams, chocolate, tea, and baking. Some people simply use roses as a garnish. Growing roses is easy in free-draining soil and full sun. To ensure they thrive, don’t forget to give them rose food in spring and summer!
Alexanders
Also known as horse parsley, Alexanders is a culinary herb from continental Europe that has been used since ancient times. The Romans brought it to Britain. Every part of this plant is edible and tastes like parsley with celery and lemon thrown in the mix. You can use the young shoots, leaves, and stems raw in salads, but they also taste delicious in soups!
Balloon Flower Maries
Balloon flower Maries are herbaceous perennial flowers that grow with purple-blue puffy balloon-shaped buds. These open up into a bell shape in summer and look stunning! Balloon flower Maries are native to Eastern Siberia, China, Korea, and Japan, and the whole plant is mostly used as a vegetable. They are believed to be rich in essential compounds like saponins and phenolic acids.
Most people dry and grind up the older flowers to use them as flavouring, but you can also eat the roots in soups.
Shungiku
Shungiku is a beautiful yellow, orange, and white flower that also goes by the name edible Chrysanthemum. People grow these flowers to use the leaves in stir-fries, soups, and stews. However, the flowers also taste great in salads, soups, and fish. You can grow these flowers in free-draining soil in full sun. However, they also love the colder temperatures of spring and autumn. The best part is that they can add a much-needed burst of colour to any garden while they grow.
Sunflower
Many people grow sunflowers because they’re beautiful. Did you know you can also eat them? Some growers will harvest sunflowers while they’re in their budding stage because they taste like artichokes. They often taste at their best when boiled and slathered in butter!
You can also eat the petals in salads for colour, but these tend to taste quite bitter. Growing sunflowers can be tricky, but most people have success when they plant them in free-draining soil in full sun.
How to Use Edible Flowers
How you use edible flowers can depend on the variety you buy and grow. Some types enable you to enjoy the whole plant, from the root to the petals. Others have edible petals or stems you can prepare for soups, salads, and stews.
If you’re looking for flowers to use as garnishes, there are a number of varieties for this task, too, such as chamomile, borage, Heartsease Johnny Jump Up, and Nasturtium.
Plant Edible Flowers Today
Your flowers can be more than just beautiful. They can take pride of place in your kitchen for mealtimes. The next time you’re getting ready for another planting season, take the time to explore your local garden centre’s edible flower range. You can then flex your culinary muscles and create some spectacular dishes!