Flowers are not only beautiful to behold, many are edible too. What’s more, they attract pollinators to your garden, make excellent companion plants and bring scent, colour and interest to your outdoor space. If you want to sow your own flower seeds so that you can harvest their edible petals, here are the best varieties to grow.
Flowers have been used throughout history to enhance the flavour and appearance of food, both savoury and sweet. Ancient Romans drank tea made from dried petals and medieval monks used viola blooms to make a sweet syrup.
Today we know that edible flowers bring a wealth of health benefits as well as adding colour and flavour to food. Rose petals, for example, are rich in antioxidants, while Lavender is thought to calm the nervous system and prevent nausea. Many edible flowers are high in Vitamins like C and A too. Check out our guide to cooking with lavender for some excellent ways to incorporate this flower into your diet.