Fact Sheet No. 7.237 Gardening Ser ies|Flowers

by S.E. Newman and A. Stoven O’Connor*

Edible flowers have been used in the culinary arts for flavor and garnish for hundreds of years. Early reports indicate that the Romans used flowers in cooking, as did the Chinese, Middle Eastern and Indian cultures. During Queen Victoria’s reign, edible flowers were popular and they are again popular in North America and Europe.

Many flowers are edible and the flowers of most culinary herbs are safe. However, proper identification is essential because some flowers are poisonous and should not be eaten. Many plants have similar common names, which may cause added confusion. Always use the scientific name when choosing a flower. (See Table 1.)

Pick flowers early in the day. Use them at their peak for the best flavor. Avoid unopened blossoms (except daylilies) and wilted or faded flowers. They may have a bitter or unappealing flavor. Do not use flowers that have been sprayed with pesticides, which often occur along roadsides, or collect flowers from plants that have been fertilized with untreated manure. Generally avoid purchasing flowers from florists, Garden centers or nurseries. These flowers are not grown for consumption. Table 2 lists many plants that can be added to food for flavor, aroma, color or garnish.

Fresh flowers also can be preserved for later use. Choose flowers with larger petals, such as pansies, and paint the petals with an egg-white wash. Use a soft brush and dehydrated egg whites to avoid food borne illness. These flowers are edible if the dehydrated egg powder has been pasteurized. After painting, dust the petal with super-fine granulated sugar and dry it. Store preserved

Quick Facts•Properidentificationofedibleflowersisimportant.

•Useflowersthataregrownwithoutpesticides.

• Forbestflavor,useflowersattheirpeak.

• Introducenewflowersintothedietslowlytobeabletopinpointallergicreactions.

•Edibleflowersalsomaybepreservedinoilsorvinegars.

Edible Flowers

flowers in an airtight container in a cool, dark place. Avoid dark-colored petals; they turn even darker with this treatment.

Using Edible FlowersTo avoid stomach upset or to determine

if there is an allergic reaction, try a small quantity of the new flowers yourself. Edible petals or entire flowers can be eaten. However, remove stems, anthers and pistils because they may be bitter (Figure 1). Use flowers that are free of insects and diseases.

Many edible flowers are high in vitamin C and/or vitamin A, along with other essential nutrients. Use them as garnishes and in salads. Recipes for flowers may be found in the following areas: baking, sauces, jelly, syrup, vinegars, honey, oil, tea, flower-scented sugars, candied flowers, wine and flavored liquors. Flavored vinegars and oils prepared at home have a limited shelf-life and should be stored in the refrigerator (Kendall and Rausch, 2006). Pick the flowers, gently with running water, rinse and place between damp paper towels. Refrigerate until ready to use. Some varieties may last longer if not washed until they are ready to use. Some flowers may be dried and used as dried herbs.

Figure 1:Flowerparts.

©ColoradoStateUniversityExtension.12/96.Revised9/13.

www.ext.colostate.edu*S.E. Newman, Colorado State University Extension greenhouse crops specialist and professor, horticulture and landscape architecture; and A. Stoven O’Connor, Extension horticulture agent, Larimer County. Original publication by K.B. Badertscher, former Colorado State University horticulture agent, Boulder County. 9/13

Table 1: Some common house and garden plants with toxic plant parts or toxic flowers (not a complete list, if in doubt, consult a poisonous plant reference).

Scientific name Common names Scientific name Common names

Achillea millefolium Yarrow,milfoil Lantana camara Lantana,redsage,shrubverbena

Anconitum spp. Monkshood Lathyrus spp. Sweetpea(seeds)

Cestrumspp.Daybloomingjasmine,Nightbloomingjasmine

Clematis spp. Clematis,virgin’sbower Lobelia spp. Cardinalflower

Colchicumspp. Crocus Narcissusspp. Daffodil,jonquil

Convallaria majalis LilyoftheValley Nerium oleander Oleander

Daphne mezereum Daphne Nicotianaspp. Floweringtobacco

Datura spp. Jimsonweed Papaver somniferum Opiumpoppy,commonpoppy

Delphinium spp. Larkspur Phoradendron spp. Mistletoe

Dicentra formosa Bleedingheart Physalis spp. ChineseorJapaneselantern

Digitalis purpurea Foxglove,digitalis Rhododendronspp. Azaleas,rhododendrons,rosebay

Euphorbiaspp.1 Euphorbia Ricinus communis Castorbean,Africancoffeetree

Hippeastum spp. Amaryllis Zantedeschia aethiopica Callalily

Hyaninthus spp. Hyacinth Zigadenus sup. Deathcamas,alkaligrass,wildonion

1Poinsettias are not considered poisonous, but they are not edible. If eaten, all plant parts may cause varying degrees of mouth irritation, and vomiting, but not death. The cultivated rubber tree Heavea brasiliensis, Manioc or cassava (Manihot), and Castor bean (Rincinus) are close relatives, which are poisonous. With its close genetic ties to the rubber tree, which is where natural latex is derived, those who are sensitive may also be sensitive to the latex from poinsettias.

Table 2: Recommended plants with edible flowers.

Plant name Type1 Flower color Bloom Taste Fragrance Comments and hints

Abelmoschus aesculentusOkra,gumbo,gombo

A Yellow,red Mid-JulytoAugust

Mild,sweetandslightlymucilaginous

– Fullsun,hotweather;prefersclaytoclayloam.

Agastache foeniculum Anisehyssop

P Lavender Julytofrost Stronganise,sweet,licorice

– Maydiebacktotheground;readilyresows;fullsuntolightshade;well-drainedsoil.

Alcea rosea Hollyhock

P Various Julytofrost Little,slightlybitter – Bestasagarnishorcontainerfordip.Fullsuntolightshade.

Allium schoenoprasum Chive

P Lavender,redtopurple

MaytoJune

Onion,strong Onion Separatefloretstoserve.Formsclumps;partshadetofullsun;indoors.

Allium tuberosum Garlicchive

P White Augusttofrost

Onion,strong Onion Separatefloretstoserve.Partialshadetofullsun;alsoindoors.

Anethum graveolens Dill

A Yellow Junetofrost

Strongerthanleaves

Dill Resowsreadily,toleratespoorsoilbutpreferswell-drainedsoil;fullsun.

Anthemis nobilis Englishchamomile

P Whitepetals;yellowcenter

LateJunetofrost

Sweetappleflavor – Ragweedsufferersmaybeallergictochamomile;drinknomorethanonecupofteaperday.Prefersmoist,well-drainedsoil;fullsuntopartshade.

Anthriscus cerefolium Chervil

A White MaytoJune

Parsley-like,hintofcitrus,tarragon

– Startincoldframe.

Begoniaxtuberhybrida Tuberousbegonia

TP White,pink,yellow,red,orangeandcombinations

JulytoAugust

Citrus – Growindoorsorout;digtuberseachfall,justafterfrostandstore;prefers

Bellis perennis Englishdaisy

P Whitetopurplepetals

ApriltoSeptember

Mildtobitter – Useasgarnishorinsalads.Thrivesincoldweather;prefersfullsun,moistsoil.

Borago officinalis Borage

A Blue,purpletolavender

JunetoJuly

Cucumber – Useasgarnish;maybecandied.Fullsun;light,poor,drysoil.Attractsbees.

Brassica spp.Broccoli,cauliflower

B(grownasA)

Buds:blue-green;yellowflower,whitebudsincauliflower

JunetoAugust

Broccoli – Vegetable.Prefersfullsun;rich,well-drainedsoil.Sowindoorssixweekspriortotransplant.

Brassicaspp.Mustard

A Yellow ApriltoMay Mustard,hot – Saladgarnish.Watchforallergies.

Table 2: Recommended plants with edible flowers.

Plant name Type1 Flower color Bloom Taste Fragrance Comments and hints

Calendula officinalis Calendula,potmarigold

A Yellow,gold/orange

JunetoAugust

Tangyandpeppery – Ornamental.Drieswell.Preferscoolweather;richloam;directsow.

Calendula officinalis Calendula,potmarigold

A Yellow,gold/orange

JunetoAugust

Tangyandpeppery – Ornamental.Drieswell.Preferscoolweather;richloam;directsow.

Carthamus tinctorius Safflower,Americansafflower,saffron

A Yellowtodeepred

August Bitterflavor – Mayimpartyellowcolortocookedfoods.Fullsun;light,dry,well-drainedsoil;startindoorsandtransplant.

Centaurea cyanus A White,pink,blue

Maytofrost Mild – Annual;petalsareedible;thecalyxisbitter

Cercis canadensisRedbud

P Pink April Beanliketotartapple

– NativetreetoU.S.;maybemarginalinColorado.Fullsuntopartshade;sandyloam;difficulttotransplant.

Chrysanthemumcoronarium Gardenchrysanthemum,shungiku

P Yellowtowhite AugusttoOctober

Mild – Ornamental.Fullsun;rich,moist,well-drainedsoil.

Chrysanthemum leucanthemum Oxeyedaisy

P White/yellowcenter

ApriltoAugust

Mild – Useasgarnishorinsalad.Fullsun;rich,moist,well-drainedsoil,invasive.

Cichorium intybus Chicory

P Bluetolavender

Julytofrost Pleasant,mild-bittersimilartoendive

– Consideredaweed.Growsinmostsoils;suntoshade;invasive.

Citrus limonLemon

P White Varieswithvariety

Citrus,slightlybitter Sweet Subtropicaltreebutmaybegrownindoors.

Citrus sinensisOrange

P White Varies Citrus,sweet/strong Perfume,sweet

Subtropicaltreebutmaybegrownindoors.

Coriandrum sativumCoriander

A White Junetofrost

Likeleafbutmilder Fragrant Herb.Sowcontinuouslyforseveralharvests;sun;rich,well-drainedsoil.

Cucurbitaspp.Squashorpumpkin

A Orange,yellow

JulytoAugust

Mild,rawsquash Slightlyfloral

Vegetable.Enrichsoilwithcompost;prefersfullsun.

Cynara scolymusArtichoke

A Immaturehead:green

Fall Artichoke – Prefersrichsoil,abundantmoisture;propagatefromdivisionforannualharvest.

Dendranthema xgrandiflorumChrysanthemum

P Red,yellow,pink,orange,purple,white

AugusttoOctober

Varietiesdiffer,strongtobitter

Pungent Ornamental.Fullsun;rich,moist,well-drainedsoil.

Dianthusspp.Dianthusorpinks

P Pink,whiteandred

JunetoAugust

Spicy,cloves Somevarietiesarespicier

Ornamental.Tolerateswiderangeofsoils;fullsun.

Eruca vesicariaRocket,arugula

A White Maytofrost Nutty,smoky,lesspiquantthanleaves

– Saladgreen.Sowcontinuouslyforharvest;fullsuntolightshade;well-drainedsoil.

Feijoa sellowianaPineappleguava

P Whitetodeeppink

Growindoors

Floralflavor;papayaorexoticmelon

– Growindoorsinagreenhouse.Rich,well-drainedsoil;fullsun-lightshade.

Foeniculum vulgareFennel

P Paleyellow JulytoAugust

Licorice,milderthanleaves,sweet

– Tolerateswiderangeofsoils;partshadetofullsun.

Galium odoratumSweetwoodruff

P White May Sweet,grassy,vanilla

Vanilla Herborgroundcover.Maybeinvasive;prefersshade.Canhaveabloodthinningeffectifeateninlargequantities.Itisconsideredlivertoxic.Bestasagarnishorcontainerfordipsorspreads.

Gladiolus spp.Gladiolus

TP Variousexcepttrueblue

6-8weeksafterplanting

Mediocre – Bestasagarnishorcontainerfordipsorspreads.

Hemerocallis fulvaDaylily

P Tawnyorange JunetoJuly

Cooked,combinationofasparagus/zucchini

– Allpartsareedible.Fulltopartshade;easytogrow.MayLiliescontainalkaloidsandareNOTedible.DayLiliesmayactasadiureticorlaxative;eatinmoderation.

Hibiscus rosa-sinensisHibiscus,Chinarose,Rose-of-China

P Orange,redorpurplishred

Latesummer

Citrus/cranberryflavor

– Subtropicaltreebutmaybegrownindoors.Usedinmanyteaflavorings.

(Continued)

Table 2: Recommended plants with edible flowers.

Plant name Type1 Flower color Bloom Taste Fragrance Comments and hints

Hibiscus syriacusRose-of-Sharon

P Red,white,purple,violet

JulytoAugust

Mild,nutty – Shrub.Preferswell-drainedsoil;fullsuntopartshade;deadheadtokeepblooming.

Hyssopus officinalisHyssop

P Blue,pink,white

JulytoOctober

Bitter;similartotonic

– Usedtoflavorchartreuse,aliqueur;strongflavor.Preferspartshadeandwell-drainedsoil.

Lavandula angustifoliaLavender

P Lavender,purplepink,white

JunetoearlyAugust

Highlyperfumed Floral Tastemaybeverystrongdependingontheplant.

Levisticum officinaleLovage

B Yellow,white August Mildcelery – Herb.

Malusspp.Appleorcrabapple

P Whitetopink May Slightlyfloraltosour Sweetfloral

Petalsmaybecandied.Seedsarepoisonous.Specimentree,prefersfullsun,fertilesoil.

Melissa officinalisLemonbalm

P Creamywhite JulytoAugust

Lemony,sweet Lemon Herb.Maybeinvasive.

Menthaspp.Mint

P Lavender,pinktowhite

JulytoSeptember

Minty;milderthanleaves

Fresh,minty

Herb.Maybeinvasive;toleratesawiderangeofsoils;preferspartshade.

Monarda didymaBergamot,beebalm,Oswegotea

P Red,pink,white,lavender

JulytoAugust

Tea-like,morearomaticthanleaves

Sweet,perfumed

Attractshummingbirdsandbutterflies;partshadetofullsun;prefersmoist,richsoil.Powderymildewwhengrowninpartshade.

Muscari atlanticum,M. botryoides, Grapehyacinth

P Pink,blue ApriltoMay Grapey,slightlysourwithbitteraftertaste

Grapey Bulb.

Ocimum basilicum Basil

A Whitetopalepink

Julytofrost Milderthanleaves,spicy

– Sowcontinuouslyforseveralharvests;well-drainedrichsoil;fullsun.

Origanum majoranaMarjoram

TP Palepink JunetoAugust

Spicy,sweet – Herb.Prefersfullsunanddry,alkaline,well-drainedsoil.

Origanum spp.Oregano

P White JunetoAugust

Spicy,pungent-likeleaves

– Herb.Prefersfullsunanddry,alkaline,well-drainedsoil.

Pelargoniumspp.Scentedgeranium

TP White,red,pink,purple

Varies Likevarietyselected,e.g.,rose,lemon;varies

Mild Ornamental.Prefersfullsun;light,drywell-drainedsoil.

Phaseolus coccineusScarletrunnerbean

TP Brightorangetoscarlet

JulytoAugust

Rawbeanbutmilder

– Vegetable.Flowercrunchy;useinsalad.

Pisum sativumGardenpea

A White,tingedpink

MaytoJune

Rawpeas – Vegetable.Prefersfullsun;sandy,well-drainedsoil.

Poterium sanguisorbaBurnet

P Red JulytoAugust

Cucumber – Saladherb.Maybeinvasive;tolerateswiderangeofsoil;sunorpartshade.

Prunusspp.Plum

P Pinktowhite ApriltoMay Mild,likeflower Sweet Petalscandywell.Pitsofmaturefruitarepoisonous.

Raphanus sativusRadish

A White,pink,yellow

Onemonthafterplanting

Spicy – Prefersfullsun;well-drained,sandysoilbutwillgrowinalmostanysoil.

Rosaspp.Rose

P White,pink,yellow,red,orange

MaytoJune,September

Highlyperfumed;sweettobitter

Rose Ornamental.Removesourpetalbase.Fullsun;rich,well-drainedsoil.

Rosmarinus officinalisRosemary

TP Paleblue,darkblue,pink,whit

Dependsoncultivar

Mildrosemary Delicate Herb.Donotcookflower.Toleratesfullsuntopartshade;well-drained,evenlymoistsoil.

Salvia elegansPineapplesage

TP Scarlet September Pineapple/sageovertones

– Herb.Prefersfullsun;light,well-drainedsoil;maybeinvasive.

Salvia officinalisGardensage

P Blue,purple,white,pink

MaytoJuly Flowerysage,slightlymusky

– Herb.Fullsuntolightshade;sandy,well-drainedsoil;maybeinvasive.

Satureja hortensisSummersavory

A Pink JulytoAugust

Mildlypeppery,spicy

– Herb.Prefersfullsun;light,sandysoil.

Satureja montanaWintersavory

P Paleblueto JulytoAugust

Mildlypeppery,spicy

– Herb.Prefersfullsun;light,sandysoil.

Syringa vulgarisLilac

P White,pink,purple,lilac

ApriltoMay Perfume,slightly Lilac Candieswell.Preferswell-drained,alkalinesoil;suntopartshade.

Tagetes erectaAfricanmarigold

A White,gold,yellow,red

MaytoSeptember

Variable;somecultivarsarestrongandbitter

Strong,pungent

Ornamental.Prefersfullsun;well-drainedsoil.

Tagetes tenuifoliaSignetmarigold

A White,gold,yellow,red

MaytoSeptember

Citrus;milderthanT. erecta

– Ornamental.Prefersfullsun;well-drainedsoilbuttoleratesmanysoils.

(Continued)

Table 2: Recommended plants with edible flowers.

Plant name Type1 Flower color Bloom Taste Fragrance Comments and hints

Taraxacum officinaleDandelion

P Yellow MaytoJune;fall

Bitter – Eatcookedonly.Coolweather;fullsun;tolerateswiderangeofsoils.

Thymusspp.Thyme

P Pink,purple,white

JulytoAugust

Milderthanleaves – Herb.Mostcreepingthymeshavelittleflavor.

Trifolium pratenseRedclover

P Pink,lilac JunetoSeptember

Hay Hay Scatterfloretsonsalad.Toleratesmostsoils;selfsows.

Tropaeolum majusNasturtium

A Varies JulytoAugust

Watercress,peppery

– Containerorinsalads.Growinfullsunandwell-drainedsoil.

Tulbaghia ciolaceaSocietygarlic

AorTP Lilac Spring Onionflavor – Bestinfullsun;toleratespartshade;prefersrich,moist,well-drainedsoil.

Viola odorataViolet

P Violet,pink,white

ApriltoMay Sweet Sweet Ornamental.Candieswell.Suntopartshade;moist,well-drainedsoil.

ViolaxwittrockianaViola tricolorPansyorJohnnyJump-Up

A Violet,white,pink,yellow,multi-colored

MaytoJuly Strongerthanviolets

– Ornamental.Preferscoolweather;moist,rich,loamysoilbuttoleratesmanysoils.

Yucca filamentosaYucca

P Creamywhitewithpurpletinge

July Hintofartichoke,slightlybitter

– Ornamental.Fullsun;well-drained,sandysoil.

1A=annual;B=biennial;P=perennial;TP=tenderperennial

(Continued)

ColoradoStateUniversity,U.S.DepartmentofAgricultureandColoradocountiescooperating.CSUExtensionprogramsareavailabletoallwithoutdiscrimination.Noendorsementofproductsmentionedisintendednoriscriticismimpliedofproductsnotmentioned.

ReferencesKendall, P. and J. Rausch. 2006. CSU

Extension Fact Sheet 9.340, Flavored Vinegars and Oils. Available at: www.ext.colostate.edu/pubs/foodnut/09340.html.

Knight A.P. A Guide to Poisonous House and Garden Plants. Teton New Media. 2006.

Lampe, Kenneth F. AMA Handbook of Poisonous and Injurious Plants, 1985. American Medical Association.