Edible flowers aren’t just beautiful… they’re good for you too.

Add edible flowers to a meal and not only will you add a little color, but you’ll throw in some extra health benefits as well. Many edible flowers are full of valuable nutrients. Think of edible flowers as you would spices; they add taste to a meal but they’re also good for your health.

If you’re looking for flowers that are beautiful, tasty and nutritious, here are a few to choose from. Remember that just like with any wild plant, be sure you know exactly what you’re picking and where it comes from. Identification is key.

1. Borage

With a bright blue flower that tastes a bit like cucumber, all parts of the borage plant are used for medicinal purposes. The flower and leaves can be used for coughs and depression, and borage seed oil can be used for skin disorders like eczema. Borage is also high in essential fatty acid gamma-linolenic acid, an omega-6 fatty acid.

2. Dandelions

Most people think of dandelions as a weed, but the bright yellow plant is full of vitamin A, B, C and D. The flowers have antioxidant properties, and the leaves act as a diuretic, as well as stimulating the appetite and helping in digestion. And chances are, you probably already have some dandelion growing where you live, so no need to grow your own.

3. Chives

With a taste similar to garlic, chives are a common herb found in many an edible flower garden. But they’ve got a medicinal value as well, having long been used to lower blood pressure. Their purple blossoms are also full of vitamin C and iron, good for boosting your immune system.

4. Lavender

Beyond smelling fantastic, lavender contains vitamin A, calcium and iron. Often found in oil form, it is used for restlessness and insomnia, as well as a variety of digestive complaints. Thanks to polyphenols, it can even help reduce bad bacteria in your stomach, helping with bloating.

5. Sweet Violet

Often found growing in the wild, sweet violets offer a lot more than just their beautiful color. In fact, in Ancient Rome,the violet was believed to moderate anger, strengthen the heart, and promote sleep.  The leaves have antiseptic properties and the flowers possess slightly laxative properties.

6. Chrysanthemum

Chrysanthemum has long been used to make a calming tea in China, known to boost immunity and reduce high blood pressure. The bright flowers also may have anti-carcinogenic and anti-inflammatory properties.

7. Scented geranium

With a slight citrus flavor, scented geraniums give a little twist to an otherwise boring summer salad, but the plant is also known for its relaxing properties. You can make a cup of tea to calm your stress levels or help you deal with a headache.

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Image: Angela Marie Henriette

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VideoThree edible and beautiful flowers to add to your urban garden.

Did you know you can grow some species of flowers that are totally edible?

In this video you will learn:

• 3 flowers that you can eat

• How to use those flowers

Which flowers are you going to start growing?

Mike Lieberman shows people with little to no land how to start growing their own food so they can avoid toxic pesticides, eat healthier and not feel limited by their lack of experience and space.Connect with him here to learn more urban gardening tips.

Image: CarbonNYC

The post Flowers That Add Color to Your Garden and Spice to Your Menu appeared first on EcoSalon.

Growing vegetables in your garden? How predictable. Sure growing your own food like tomatoes and cucumbers is planet-friendly, but gorgeous blooms add color to your greenery and many of them can be eaten, too. Add one or all seven of these nosh-worthy flowers to your garden and you’ll soon have something new to experiment with in your kitchen – and an easy way to woo your foodie friends.

Nasturtiums

In the garden: This pretty and tasty summer flowering annual is easy to grow if you have a sunny garden. Green thumbs say, “Be nasty to nasturtiums; they like it.” The soil should be very well-draining, a bit dry and surprisingly, nutrient poor. If you have too much nitrogen in your soil, you won’t get any blooms.

On the table: The flowers are spicy, with a bit of sweet nectar found in the spur. Even the leaves are edible – they have a peppery taste similar to watercress. Try adding them to salads or sprinkle them over veggies. Or if you’re feeling adventurous, try nasturtium soup.

Borage

In the garden: A unique addition to your garden, borage grow two to four feet tall with purplish-blue star-shaped flowers. They’re easy to grow, preferring full sun yet tolerating some shade. However, because they get blown around easily, it’s best to protect them from wind.

On the table: With a cucumber taste, borage blooms are a nice addition to salads or as a garnish on canapes. Because they’re so light and fresh – not to mention strikingly beautiful – try freezing these pretty blooms in ice cubes to serve in summer drinks.

Lavender

In the garden: If you’re up for the challenge, lavender can be a beautiful and fragrant addition to your garden, but they’re not the easiest flowers to grow. Try growing lavender in a small to medium-sized pot keeping it in the sun as much as possible and being careful that the soil isn’t too damp due to humidity in the summer or cold in the winter.

On the table: The flowers will have a perfumed flavor of well, lavender. They’re also sweet and spicy offering a nice addition to savory dishes like rice pilaf or sweet recipes like lavender shortbread. A word of caution: Don’t go overboard, the flavor can be intense.

Hibiscus

In the garden: Great for warm climates or the summer season, hibiscus plants prefer partial shade to full sun. Watch out for soggy pots – hibiscus plants are prone to root rot. And you should watch out for insects like aphids.

On the table: Hibiscus flowers have a tart cranberry flavor and since they’re so showy, they’re a fun drink addition whether in a cocktail like a wild hibiscus mojito or a cinnamon-infused hibiscus iced tea.

Violet

In the garden: A variety of easy-to-grow violas including Johnny-jump-ups, pansies and sweet violets are edible. They flower best in cooler climates, so if you live in the Pacific Northwest for example, this may be an easier bloom to cultivate.

On the table: Violets offer a sweet, wintergreen or perfumed flavor. They’re a popular bloom for salads, but many make candied violets or use them in sweet recipes such as raspberry and violet tartlets or violet flower jelly.

Lemon Blossom

In the garden: Before citrus plants grow fruit, they blossom. Little lemon trees can be purchased at a nursery and are easy enough to grow indoors year round as long as you have a lot of light. One caveat, for a better chance of fruit inside, you’ll need to play the part of bees, pollinating flowers with a paintbrush or cotton swab.

On the table: Because they’re heavily-scented, these sweet blooms, like lemons, should be used sparingly so as not to overwhelm a dish. They’re best as an edible garnish or for making citrus waters.

Sunflower

In the garden: Just about anyone, even kids, can grow sunflowers from seeds. The only thing you need to consider is where to plant your sunflowers. They need full sun and will grow tall – some varieties reach heights over 10 feet – so choose a spot with a fence to support towering stalks or plan on adding stakes later.

On the table: While you probably typically think of eating sunflower seeds, the petals can be eaten, too. They tend to have a bittersweet flavor, but steaming makes them more pleasant. Better yet, steam unopened buds – their flavor is very similar to that of an artichoke. You can also try making pickled sunflower buds.

Images: CommandZen, OliBac, Fabrice Rose, Sansreproache

The post 7 Ways to Indulge in the Edible Flower Garden Trend appeared first on EcoSalon.