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Edible Flowers List - (CONSTANTLY BEING UPDATED SO DO KEEP CHECKING BACK).
A list of some of the edible flowers available from Maddocks Farm Organics.
WE TAKE OUR ENVIRONMENTAL RESPONSIBILITIES VERY SERIOUSLY. OUR EDIBLE FLOWERS ARE GROWN ORGANICALLY AND NATURALLY WITHOUT ARTIFICIAL HEAT, LIGHT OR ANYTHING ELSE HERE IN DEVON. WE DON'T IMPORT CHEAP EDIBLE FLOWERS FROM ABROAD SO WE ONLY SELL EDIBLE FLOWERS THAT ARE IN SEASON. WE WILL THEREFORE, FOR EXAMPLE, ONLY HAVE ROSES BETWEEN THE END OF MAY AND OCTOBER AND WE ARE EXTREMELY PROUD OF THAT FACT.
Edible Flowers and petals are a fabulous addition to many dishes. The vibrancy of their colours, which in nature is designed to attract pollination insects, comes from a natural balance of complimentary colours on the colour wheel. The result is that flowers can look as stunning on the plate as in the garden.
Here is a quick guide to some edible flowers and their uses. There are many, many more on the internet and several books on the subject.
Please be aware however that not all flowers are edible and some are actually poisonous so DO NOT eat any flower or its petals until you are certain of a correct identification.
Also do not eat flowers bought from the florists, supermarkets or from garden enters & plant nurseries as they will almost certainly have been sprayed at some point and the chemicals used are not deemed fit for human consumption.
We include some edible flowers recipes on our blog each month.
Abutilon (hybridum)
Abutilon flowers are stunningly beautiful and exotic looking blooms which work so well on a wedding or other celebration cake. They have a mild citrus sweet cos like flavour and are also fabulous for tea.
You can buy abutilon flowers HERE and also see recipe ideas and suggestions.
COLOURS SUBJECT TO AVAILABILITY – YELLOW, ORANGE, RED, CORAL, PEACH, PINK OR WHITE
SUBJECT TO AVAILABILITY – JUNE, JULY, AUGUST, SEPTEMBER, OCTOBER, NOVEMBER.
Aquilegia
Please do your research. Only the petals of certain varieties are edible. The rest of the plant (other than the petals) is poisonous. Aquilegia flowers are lovely tossed in salads and adorning cocktails. You can buy aquilegia flowers HERE and also see recipe ideas and suggestions.
COLOURS SUBJECT TO AVAILABILITY – MIXED
SUBJECT TO AVAILABILITY - MAY
Begonia tuberosa
These flowers are about the same size as an apricot and beautiful shades of peach, orange, yellow and cream. They are very fleshy in texture and have the most incredible citrus flavour. Sharp and sour and supposedly not disimilar to a cooking apple hence the fact that they are sometimes, rather confusingly, referred to as apple blossom. Buy begonia flowers HERE.
COLOURS SUBJECT TO AVAILABILITY – ORANGE, YELLOW, PEACH OR WHITE
SUBJECT TO AVAILABILITY – JULY, AUGUST, SEPTEMBER OCTOBER.
Broad Beans
Broad bean flowers come in a range of colour and have a wonderful beamy flavour. They are fabulous in a salad or work beautifully with an omelette or other egg dishes.
COLOURS SUBJECT TO AVAILABILITY – BLACK AND WHITE, CRIMSON
SUBJECT TO AVAILABILITY – APRIL, MAY, JUNE, SEPTEMBER, OCTOBER.
Calendula (Calendula officinalis)
Only the petals can be used. They have a tangy almost citrus flavour and are fabulous in salads, folded into pasta and in a citrus butter for melting over fish or chicken. You can buy calendula flowers HERE and also see recipe ideas and suggestions.
COLOURS SUBJECT TO AVAILABILITY – ORANGE, YELLOW, CREAM
SUBJECT TO AVAILABILITY – APRIL, MAY, JUNE, JULY, AUGUST, SEPTEMBER OCTOBER.
Celosia Coral Flowers
A lovely range of strong colours for summer and autumn. Not the greatest flavour or texture for that matter but what they lack in plate appeal they make up for in show bizz. Great for cakes. Available to buy HERE.
COLOURS – PINK, RED, WHITE, CREAM, GREEN
SUBJECT TO AVAILABILITY – JULY, AUGUST, SEPTEMBER
Celosia Feather Stick
A lovely range of strong colours for summer and autumn. Not the greatest flavour or texture for that matter but what they lack in plate appeal they make up for in show bizz. Great for cocktails. Available to buy HERE.
COLOURS – PURPLE, PINK, RED, WHITE, CREAM, GREEN
SUBJECT TO AVAILABILITY – JULY, AUGUST, SEPTEMBER, OCTOBER, NOVEMBER.
Coriander (Coriandrum sativum)
Coriander flowers have the same flavour as the leaves and are produced in masses of tiny white delicate fronds which make a beautiful and delicate garnish for many dishes.You can buy coriander flowers here and also see recipe ideas and suggestions.
COLOURS SUBJECT TO AVAILABILITY – WHITE
AVAILABLE - INTERMITTENTLY THROUGHOUT THE SEASON – EMAIL JAN FOR DETAILS.
Chicory (Chicorium intybus)
The petals of chicory can be used and have the same bitter flavour as the plants. They come in blue, pink or white and can be used as a garnish and in a wide range of dishes.
COLOURS SUBJECT TO AVAILABILITY – BLUE,
SUBJECT TO AVAILABILITY – SEPTEMBER OCTOBER. - We do not sell chicory flowers at Maddocks Farm Organics as they are too delicate to transport. Lovely to grow at home though as they are lovely by insects.
Chives (Allium schoenoprasum)
The individual florets have a strong onion flavour which is lovely in salads and particularly good with eggs. They are fabulous folded into omelettes or scrambled eggs.You can buy chive flowers HERE and also see recipe ideas and suggestions.
COLOURS SUBJECT TO AVAILABILITY – PINK
SUBJECT TO AVAILABILITY -MAY, JUNE, SEPTEMBER OCTOBER.
Corn Flower (Centaurea cyanus)
Slightly sweet almost spicy clove like taste. Cornflowers come in a range of pink, blue and almost black. They crystalise well so are great for cupcakes. You can buy cornflowers here and also see recipe ideas and suggestions.
COLOURS – BLUE, PURPLE, BLACK, PINK, RED, WHITE
SUBJECT TO AVAILABILITY -MAY, JUNE, JULY, AUGUST, SEPTEMBER, OCTOBER,
Chrysanthemum (Garland)
Garland Chrysanthemum or Shungiku have a crazy Magic Roundabout quality to them. Very pretty in salads where the small leaves are edible too. The petals are very delicate and like a lot of the daisy family they are nyctinastic which means they close up at night and when cold.
COLOURS SUBJECT TO AVAILABILITY – YELLOW, WHITE, PINK, ORANGE
AVAILABLE – JULY AUGUST SEPTEMBER OCTOBER
Cosmos (Sulphureus)
Lovely crunchy bite to salads or floating in summer drinks. The small leaves are also edible and nice in a salad. Supposedly similar to mango but I don't get that. Can be bought HERE. SUPPOSEDLY THE SULPHUREUS IS THE ONLY EDIBLE VARIETY.
COLOURS – ORANGE, YELLOW, RED, YELLOW
SUBJECT TO AVAILABILITY - JULY, AUGUST, SEPTEMBER,
Courgette (Cucurbita pepo var. courgette or marrow)
Courgette flowers have a sweet nutty flavour and are robust enough to use in tempura, for stuffing or folding into pasta dishes. We don't sell courgette flowers as they wilt too much in transport. I would suggest contacting your local organic farmer to source.
COLOURS – YELLOW
SUBJECT TO AVAILABILITY -MAY, JUNE, JULY, AUGUST, SEPTEMBER, OCTOBER,
Cucumber flowers (Cucumis Sativus)
Cucumber flowers have a sweet nutty flavour and are a beautiful garnish for many dishes and cocktails.
COLOURS – YELLOW
SUBJECT TO AVAILABILITY - JULY, AUGUST, SEPTEMBER,. Phone to see availability as most go out to local chefs.
Dahlia (Dahlia)
A lovely range of strong colours for late summer. Related to sunflowers the petals are a pretty addition to salads and have a slightly bitter taste. Stunning as statements on wedding cakes as well. You can buy dahlias HERE.
COLOURS – PURPLE, BLACK, PINK, RED, WHITE, ORANGE, CREAM,
SUBJECT TO AVAILABILITY - JULY, AUGUST, SEPTEMBER, OCTOBER,
Daisy (Bellis perennis)
The common daisy has some wonderful modern cultivars that come in a range of reds and pinks and white. The petals are not particularly intense in flavour but make a lovely garnish for both sweet and savoury dishes.
COLOURS – PINK, RED, WHITE,
SUBJECT TO AVAILABILITY – MARCH, APRIL, MAY
Daylily (Hemerocallis)
The petals of day lilies have a wonderful sweet crunch and are used in a lot of recipes from East Asian where the plant originated. The buds can be sliced across and eaten or the petals can be removed once the flower has opened.
COLOURS – ORANGE, YELLOW
SUBJECT TO AVAILABILITY AND COLLECTION ONLY -MAY, JUNE
Dianthus, Carnations, Pinks (Dianthus)
These petals can be steeped in wine, sugar, or use as cake decoration. To use the surprisingly sweet petals in desserts, cut them away from the bitter white base of the flower. Lovely for petal confetti. You can buy dianthus flowers HERE.
COLOURS – PINK, RED, BURGUNDY, WHITE,
AVAILABLE – APRIL, MAY, JUNE SEPTEMBER, OCTOBER
Elderflower (Sambucus)
Perhaps one of the most famous of all the edible flowers and used to make Elderflower Cordial. Also a beautiful frilly garnish for decorating cakes, cocktails and desserts and wonderful for makeing elderflower vinegar or gin.
AVAILABLE TO BUY HERE.
COLOURS - WHITE
SUBJECT TO AVAILABITY - END OF MAY, JUNE
Stunning crunch bites of pure aniseed. Perfect with savoury dishes such as pork and beautiful to garnish desserts and cakes.
Available to buy HERE.
COLOURS - YELLOW
SUBJECT TO AVAILABITY - END OF MAY, JUNE and SEPTEMBER
Forget-me-not (Myosotis)
Gorgeous little flowers. Mainly in blue blue also in white and pink. Lovely for garnishing salads or canapes or for floating on cocktails.
Available to buy HERE.
COLOURS - BLUE, WHITE, PINK
SUBJECT TO AVAILABITY - END OF APRIL, MAY, JUNE
Sweet and crunchy fuchsia flowers are lovely in cocktails, set in jellies or served with desserts or salad. The berries on some varieties are edible too.
Available to buy HERE.
COLOURS - WHITE, PINK, LILAC, PURPLE, RED
SUBJECT TO AVAILABITY - END OF JUNE, JULY, AUGUST, SEPTEMBER, OCT.
Garlic Chives - Allium Tuberosum
One of my absolute favourites and also hugely popular with the honey and bumble bees.
Crunchy bites of garlic, very similar to wild garlic in the Spring but in late summer. Fabulous with all things savoury. You can never have too much garlic right!
Available to buy HERE.
COLOURS - WHITE
SUBJECT TO AVAILABILITY - AUGUST, SEPTEMBER, BEGINNING OF OCT.
Gladiolus are beautiful flags of crunchy sweetness. Really not what you expect tastewise. The flowers have a very sweet floral lettuce flavour. They are beautiful as decorations on cakes or the individual petals can be used within salads or as garnishes. To order click HERE
COLOURS - WHITE, RED, PEACH, LILAC, GREEN PURPLE, PINK
SUBJECT TO AVAILABILITY - JUNE-SEPTEMBER
Lavender (Lavender Augustifolia)
English lavender is superior for culinary use and French Lavender for the perfume industry. Lavender is famous for its use in English sweet dishes such as shortbread but it is also a fabulous substitute for savoury herbs such as rosemary or thyme and is fabulous with lamb, chicken or game. It also makes a stunning syrup for cocktails.
COLOURS - PURPLE, WHITE AND PINK
SUBJECT TO AVAILABILITY - END OF JUNE-SEPTEMBER
Nasturtiums (Tropaeolum majus)
Both the flowers and leaves have a lovely spicy flavour and the flowers come in a range of fabulous hot colours which look fabulous in a salad. If the stigma and stamens are carefully removed then the flowers can be stuffed with guacamole or cream cheese. You can buy nasturtium flowers HERE and also see recipe ideas and suggestions. We also sell nasturtium leaves which are available HERE.
COLOURS – RED, ORANGE, YELLOW,
SUBJECT TO AVAILABILITY -JULY, AUGUST, SEPTEMBER,
Pansy (Viola tricolor)
Pansies are the most colourful of all the edible flowers and extremely versatile. They have a long flowering period, come in wide range of flowers, crystallise beautifully and can be used whole or just as individual petals. You can buy edible pansy flowers HERE.
COLOURS SUBJECT TO AVAILABILITY – PEACH, ORANGE, YELLOW, RED, PINK, BLUE, PURPLE, WHITE, CREAM
AVAILABLE – MARCH, APRIL, MAY, JUNE, JULY, AUGUST, SEPTEMBER, OCTOBER, NOVEMBER,
Rose (Rosa)
Roses have had culinary uses for centuries. They vary enormously in flavour but generally the more scented the better the flavour will be. They are fabulous in jam, cakes and crystallised. You can buy roses HERE and rose petals HERE and also see recipe ideas and suggestions.
COLOURS SUBJECT TO AVAILABILITY – PINK, RED, WHITE, ORANGE, YELLOW, PEACH, BURGUNDY, CREAM
AVAILABLE – MAY, JUNE, JULY, AUGUST, SEPTEMBER, OCTOBER,
Snapdragon (Antirrhinum)
Great colour with almost orchid like ‘faces’. Slightly bitter flavour not unlike chicory. Perfect for clipping onto the rim of cocktail glasses. You can buy snapdragon flowers HERE and also see recipe ideas and suggestions.
COLOURS SUBJECT TO AVAILABILITY – PINK, RED, WHITE, ORANGE, YELLOW, PEACH, BURGUNDY,
AVAILABLE – MAY, JUNE, JULY, AUGUST, SEPTEMBER, OCTOBER,
Sunflower (Helianthus annus)
Sunflower petals have a great bittersweet nutty flavour and a good crunch. They add a fabulous burst of colour to salads, pasta dishes or a stirfry. Sunflower buds can also be cooked and are not dissimilar to Jerusalem Artichokes in flavour. Please phone to check availability of sunflowers.
COLOURS SUBJECT TO AVAILABILITY – ORANGE, YELLOW, PEACH, BURGUNDY, BROWN
AVAILABLE – AUGUST, SEPTEMBER, OCTOBER
Tagetes
Tagetes are members of the marigold family. They have a citrus flavour and distinctive ‘marmalade’ perfume which work with both with sweet and savoury dishes. Tagetes are available to buy HERE. We also sell large tagetes HERE.
COLOURS SUBJECT TO AVAILABILITY – ORANGE, YELLOW, RED
AVAILABLE – MAY, JUNE, JULY, AUGUST, SEPTEMBER, OCTOBER
Tulips (Tulipa)
Tulips come in a range of colours and make wonderful sweet canape ‘containers’ even for ice cream. You can buy edible tulips HERE. Don't use shop bought tulips as they will have been heavily sprayed with toxic insecticides.
COLOURS SUBJECT TO AVAILABILITY – PEACH, ORANGE, YELLOW, RED, PINK, CREAM
AVAILABLE – MARCH, APRIL
Viola (Viola)
Dainty colourful flowers. Perfect for crystalising. Wide range of colours. The most commonly used of the edible flowers. You can buy viola flowers HERE and also see recipe ideas and suggestions.
COLOURS SUBJECT TO AVAILABILITY – PEACH, ORANGE, YELLOW, RED, PINK, BLUE, PURPLE, WHITE, CREAM
AVAILABLE – MARCH, APRIL, MAY, JUNE, JULY, AUGUST, SEPTEMBER, OCTOBER, NOVEMBER,
Violets (Viola ororata)
Devon violets are famous across the country and have a distinctive fragrant flavour. You can buy violets HERE.
COLOURS SUBJECT TO AVAILABILITY – PURPLE, WHITE,
AVAILABLE – MARCH, APRIL
Wild Primroses (Primrose vulgaris)
A delicate fragrant flavour and look beautiful as a Spring garnish. They also look stunning set in a jelly. You can buy wild primrose flowers HERE.
COLOURS SUBJECT TO AVAILABILITY – YELLOW
AVAILABLE – MARCH, APRIL
Wild garlic (Allium ursinum)
Leaves and flowers available in April. Leaves are broad and spinach like and impart a wonderful subtle garlic flavour when wrapped around chicken or fish. You can buy wild garlic flowers HERE.
COLOURS – WHITE
SUBJECT TO AVAILABILITY – MARCH APRIL
