Blog | Mill Creek Towne Garden Club | Derwood, Maryland

Here are some edible flowers from Mill Creek Towne Garden Club’s Vice President and Master Gardener, Heather Whirley’s garden!

From left to right in the photo:

CALENDULA/Calendula officinalis– also commonly called Pot Marigold, used to flavor and color soups and stews, petals are edible as a topping for salads. Has a bitter flavor.
LAVENDER – Lavandula angustifolia – floral flavor used in icings, cakes, cookies and pastries. Recommended varieties for culinary use are “Munstead” and “Hidcote.”
CHAMOMILE/Chamaemelum nobile, Matricaria recutita – used in teas for calming effect. Do not use or use sparingly if you have allergies to ragweed, as this plant is in the same family. Two types – Annual is the German Matricaria recutita and the perennial Roman is Chamaemelum nobile. Use the flowers of either type interchangeably in the kitchen.
THYME/Thymus spp. – this herb’s flowers give an herbal flavor – sprigs can be used for decorating plates, also great to let flower in the garden for bees.
BEE BALM/Monarda didyma, M. fistulosa, M.citriodora– spicy, sweet flavor, but exceptionally tempting for the bees in the garden. Leaves are used to make Bergamot tea.

Also worth noting words of caution…

RULES FOR FLOWER-EATERS:

Don’t eat flowers if you have a history of allergies, asthma, or hay fever.
Eat only flowers you know to be safe; some kinds are toxic; proper identification is essential.
Eat only organically-grown, pesticide-free, edible flowers.
Don’t eat flowers from nurseries, florists, or garden centers; they often use systemic pesticides.
Don’t eat flowers picked from heavily traveled roadsides; brake-pad dust, vehicle emissions poison soil.
Eat only the petals, removing pistils & stamens (except those of tiny flowers such as: lilac, basil, rosemary, thyme)
Taste flowers before you use them in a recipe, as they can vary according to variety & cultural conditions.
Quickly, gently but vigorously rinse flowers in a bowl of cold water before tasting; there may be creatures hiding in them.

Heather Whirley
Master Gardener Volunteer
University of Maryland Extension