I have always encouraged gardeners to blend food crops and herbs into their ornamental landscaping. A major part of this concept is to use plants with edible flowers as well as other edible parts. Of course, not all plants are edible – some are poisonous either naturally or from toxic chemical pesticides. Here are some guidelines on the edible flowers and other parts of the plants for you.
Yes – it’s actually possible to create beautiful commercial landscapes that contain nothing but edible plants. For residential gardens, it’s even easier. Here’s a menu of great landscape/useful plants.
Shade Trees:Ginkgo
– tea from leaves and edible nuts
– fruit
– tea from flowers
– fruit
– edible nuts
– fruit
– edible nuts
Ornamental Trees:Apple
– fruit and edible flowers
– fruit and edible flowers
– edible fruit, flowers and leaves for tea
– fruit and edible flowers
– fruit
– fruit
– fruit
– fruit and edible flowers
– fruit and edible flowers
– fruit
– fruit and edible flowers
– edible flowers
– berries and flowers for teas
Shrubs:Agarita
– fruit for wine, jellies and jams
– edible flower petals
– leaves for tea and food seasoning
– edible fruit
– flowers and fruit for tea
Annuals:Begonias
– edible flowers
– edible flowers
– edible flowers
– food, seasoning and tea from roots
– edible flower petals
– edible flowers
– edible leaves, buds and flowers
– edible flowers
– edible nuts
– edible leaves and flowers
– edible seeds and flower petals
Vines:Beans and peas
– edible pods and seed
Gourds
– edible flower petals
– edible fruit and leaves for tea and dolmas
– edible roots
– edible flowers, shoots and young fruits
– edible foliage
– edible fruit and tea from leaves
Ground Covers:Clover
– tea from leaves and flowers
– teas and food flavoring
– food and teas from flowers and leaves
– teas and food flavoring
– leaves in salads and tea from flowers and leaves
Perennials:Anise hyssop
– edible flowers, foliage for tea
– edible berries, foliage for tea
– edible foliage and flowers
– edible fruit
– edible flowers, greens and cloves
– edible flower petals
– leaves for flavoring meats and other foods
– roots for food
– leaves and flowers for tea
– leaves & flowers
– flowers and leaves for tea
– fruit and tea from fruit
– all plant parts for tea
– food seasoning and tea from leaves and flowers
– petals and hips for teas and salads
– edible flowers, foliage for teas
– leaves and flowers for tea and garnish
– flowers & fruit for tea
Note: Pregnant women should avoid all strong herbs and no plant should be ingested in excess by anyone at anytime. Edible flowers can be used to enhance food at breakfast, lunch and dinner. They can also be used in teas.
For detailed information on this important subject and all these plants, look at my book
.