- Not all parts of edible flowers are necessarily edible. For all but violas, Johnny-jump-ups, pansies, and nasturtiums, remove sepals (green parts at base of flowers) before eating.
- Have a positive I.D. a flower before eating it. Many plants share common names, so be sure to purchase seeds and plants only of those identified by their Latin names.
- Don't eat flowers if you have asthma or allergies.
- For best flavor, remove pistils and stamens from blossoms.
- Edible ornamentals should not be treated with pesticides.
- Additional cautions are noted throughout the list below.
Annual Plants with Edible Fruit:
- Eggplant – Tidy bushes with shiny, variably shaped fruits in a range of colors: white, green, orange, pink, and purple.
- Okra – Green or purple foliage is the backdrop for hibiscus-like blossoms followed by quirky, upward-pointing pods of green or maroon. Large or dwarf varieties available.
- Peanut – Perky green plants with bright yellow flowers. They have a fascinating growth habit: After pollination the flower stalk elongates, touches the soil, and fruits (peanuts) develop underground.
- Pepper – Shiny fruits in a wide variety of colors (red, orange, yellow, green, purple), flavors (sweet to hot), and shapes (bell, banana, bonnet, berries, etc.).
Perennial Plants with Edible Fruit:
- Dwarf banana – Tropical plant with evergreen foliage, sweet smelling flowers, and edible fruit. Adapts well to containers.
- Strawberry – Excellent ground cover or border plant with runners that spreads by long stems called runners. Features white or pink flowers and delicious fruits.
Vines:
- Grape – Hardy, vigorous vines can cover a large area quickly. Many varieties to choose from, adapted to a wide range of environments. Look for varieties with disease resistance.
- Grow on a strong trellis or arbor. Fruit matures in late summer to early fall. Require annual pruning for good fruit production.
- Kiwi – An attractive, vigorous vine for an arbor or trellis. Fruit ripens in fall and is high in Vitamin C. This plant is dioecious – male and female flowers appear on separate plants — so you’ll need to have one of each to ensure pollination and fruit set. Require pruning.
Shrubs:
- Blackberry – Shrubs have long canes that grow to heights of five to 10 feet tall. Look for varieties with thornless stems — they don’t spread like the thorny types do. Fruit matures in mid to late summer.
- Blueberry – Attractive, low-maintenance shrubs with good fall color. Range from four to seven feet tall. Fruit matures in early to mid-summer. Requires acidic soil. Has few pests other than hungry birds.
- Elderberry (Sambucus canadensis) – Hardy native shrub with attractive foliage and large clusters of spring flowers. Fruit matures in late summer and is good for jellies, jams, and pie. Caution: Unripe fruit and other parts of the plant are toxic if ingested.
- Pineapple guava – Evergreen shrub growing to 15 feet tall. Has attractive and unusual red flowers, which are also edible. Produces small blue fruits that taste like a blend of pineapple and strawberry.
- Rose – Beautiful blooms go without saying, but several species (R. rugosa, canina, eglanteria, and pomifera) are also prized for their tasty rose hips. They’re high in Vitamin C and make a tangy jam and an ingredient for tea. Some species are vigorous spreaders.
Plants with Edible Leaves (Annuals unless otherwise noted):
- Basil - a number of different varieties are available, including some with deep purple leaves and curly foliage. Produce attractive flowers (although if harvesting leaves it is best to remove flower buds and encourage vegetative growth). Various flavors available: lemon, lime, anise, and cinnamon.
- Cabbage – A diverse selection available, including varieties of different sizes and colors (red, purple, and white).
- Dill – Airy foliage with attractive yellow flowers. Attracts butterflies
- Fennel – Fine-textured foliage in green and bronze. Tastes of anise. Attracts butterflies.
- Kale – Finely curled leaves providing seasonal color with varieties available in a range of reds, purples, and greens.
- Lettuce – A wide range of varieties available, providing many different colors (reds, purples, and all shades of greens) and textures to the landscape. Cool-season crop for spring and fall harvest.
- Malabar spinach – A vine with thick, dark green leaves that can be harvested throughout the summer. Grow on a trellis or in a hanging basket.
- Parsley – Biennial herb. Some varieties have frilly, decorative leaves and an attractive mounding growth habit.
- Sage – Evergreen perennial herb. Many varieties of different colors, including shades of green, purple, and even a tricolor variety with variegated pink, green, and white foliage.
- Swiss chard – The variety 'Bright Lights' features plants with stems and leaf veins of various bright colors, including yellow, pink, red, orange, purple, white, and green.
Annual Plants with Edible Flowers:
- Calendula/pot marigold (Calendula officinalis) – Blossoms of yellow, gold, orange, and bicolor flowers that have a tangy, peppery flavor.
- French marigold (Tagetes patula) – Varieties ‘Lemon Gem’ and ‘Tangerine Gem’ have best flavor.
- Johnny-jump-up (Viola tricolor) – Tiny three-colored blossoms have a wintergreen flavor. Spread readily from seed. Caution: Do not eat in large amounts.
- Signet marigold (Tagetes signata) – features white, gold, yellow or red colored flowers with a citrus flavor. Caution: may be harmful if eaten in large quantities.
- Nasturtium (Tropaeolum majus) – Compact plants or trailing varieties with edible lily-pad like foliage and blossoms. Flowers range from white through yellows and dark red. Blossoms are sweet with a peppery watercress flavor. Contain Vitamin C.
- Pansy (Viola x wittrockiana) – Popular bedding plants. Different varieties sport a full spectrum of solid and multicolor flowers. Cool-season annuals.Petunia (Petunia hybrida) – Summer-blooming flower that comes in a wide range of colors and has a mild flavor.
- Pineapple sage (Salvia elegans) – Scarlet-colored flowers have a sage flavor with pineapple undertones
- Scented geraniums (Pelargonium spp.) – Blossoms of white, red, pink or purple have a wide range of flavors, such as apple, lemon, orange, depending on the species and variety.
- Scarlet runner beans (Phaseolus vulgaris) – Tall, vigorous bean vines with orange- to scarlet-colored flowers with a mild, raw bean flavor. Require a tepee or trellis at least 8 feet tall.
- Sunflower (Helianthus annuus) – Flowers of white, yellow, orange, burgundy, or multiple colors. Unopened buds taste like a mild artichoke. Flower petals are bittersweet.
Perennial Plants with Edible Flowers: - Artichoke – Immature flower buds are very mild and sweet. The plant itself has attractive gray-green foliage.
- Chives – Blossoms are white, lavender, or purple with a strong onion flavor.
- Pinks (Dianthus spp.) – Pink, white, and red flowers have a spicy, clove-like flavor.
- Daylily (Hemerocallis spp.) – Comes in a wide range of flower colors. Buds and blossoms have a mild asparagus or summer squash flavor.
- Violet – (Viola odorata) – Perennial with violet or white flowers that have a sweet flavor.
