true spring flowers in the edible garden

True Spring and sleepy winter buds have burst open in a puff of pollen.

I may have been knocked off my feet with a sneaky spring cold, but this hasn’t dampened by enthusiasm for the season. Although I’m itching to transplant my seedlings, this forced time of rest and reflection isn’t so bad when there is a seat in the sun and so much to observe in just one square metre. Our garden is host to a delightful barter of nectar for aphid control with a mass of hoverflies. In the food forest the air is laden with apple blossom petals falling in snowy drifts and the trees are alive with the buzzing of bees. The Melbourne Wurundjeri calendar has 6 seasons and this is one of plenty.

Eyes itchy with pollen haven’t ruined my spring bike rides, the ravenous awakening of snails and slugs are a challenge rather than a cause of despair. Warmer mornings and stepping out of the office into sunlit evenings are indeed a recipe for sparkly eyes and spirits. Even my homemade kombucha is thrilled, its weak winter fizz substituted with an almost volcanic effervescence. My fragile winter attitude has been composted.

What is really exciting is that all those flowers promise not only momentary fragrance and beauty but delicious fruit. It’s a beginning that is not only glorious for what it is but what it will be. So I decided to try and keep that feeling going all year. The challenge? A year of flowers in the edible garden. The end game is to have as much colour and joy as I can coax into life in winter as I can. The rules only flowers from a plant that is at least partly edible, bonus points if the flowers can be eaten. I’ll try and think of some recipes to post.

I’m starting with the easiest season, it’s going to get harder from here on out so I better start planning for the oven of summer and darkness of winter. Any suggestions for winter flowers or flowery treats would be awesome guys.

Fruit & vegetable flowers

Some veg flowers are particularly surprising such as the bright red rhubarb buds and I always allow a few radishes to go to seed as their masses of pink or white flowers are a delight.

If you struggle with pests like aphids you might try letting a few of your affected vegetables go to seed. Their nectar will attract beneficial insects which will lay their eggs on nearby plants. If all goes to plan their carnivorous larvae will take care of the pests.

Checkout those fabulous stripey pepino flowers! Which one is your favourite?

Pepino
Pepino
Kale flower
Kale flower

Rhubarb flower
Rhubarb flower
Blackberry
Blackberry
Tomato
Tomato

Strawberry
Strawberry
Blueberry
Blueberry
Celery
Celery
Broccoli
Broccoli
Elderflower
Elderflower
Mizuna
Mizuna
Mandarin
Mandarin
Lemon
Lemon
Onion
Onion
Native raspberry
Native raspberry
Orange
Orange
Radish
Radish
Red pak choy
Red pak choy
Silvanberry
Silvanberry
Sorrel
Sorrel

Spring onion
Spring onion

Asparagus
Asparagus
Cumquat
Cumquat

Horseradish
Horseradish

Serviceberry (Amelanchier)
Serviceberry (Amelanchier)

Alpine strawberry
Alpine strawberry
Apple blossom
Apple blossom
Chilli / capsicum
Chilli / capsicum
Cape gooseberry
Cape gooseberry
Brussels Sprout
Brussels Sprout
Broccoli
Broccoli
Globe Artichoke
Globe Artichoke
Garlic
Garlic
Mizuna red
Mizuna red
Medlar
Medlar
Rocket flower
Rocket flower
Raspberry flower
Raspberry flower
Olive
Olive

Mulberry
Mulberry

Onion
Onion
Passionfruit
Passionfruit

Culinary flowers

Particulary beloved by bees at the moment I love all the beautiful purple flowers on the common sage and chives.

Coriander
Coriander
Fenugreek
Fenugreek

Bay tree
Bay tree
Thyme
Thyme
Thyme
Thyme
Sage
Sage

Chives & chamomile
Chives & chamomile
Chives
Chives
Chamomile
Chamomile
Thyme
Thyme

Thyme
Thyme

Medicinal & edible

Brushing up against sweet violets produces the most intoxicating smell, and they make a beautiful cake topper.

Aquilegia - granny's bonnet
Aquilegia – granny’s bonnet
White clover
White clover

Pink lawn daisy
Pink lawn daisy
Daylily
Daylily
Golden feverfew
Golden feverfew
Spanish lavender
Spanish lavender
Marigold
Marigold
Marigold
Marigold
Nasturtium
Nasturtium
Nasturtiums
Nasturtiums
Pansies
Pansies
Pansy
Pansy
Peppermint pelargonium
Peppermint pelargonium
Rosa rugosa (rosehips)
Rosa rugosa (rosehips)
Sweet Violet
Sweet Violet
Tree marigold
Tree marigold

Catmint
Catmint

Borage blue and white
Borage blue and white
Scented pelargonium
Scented pelargonium

Santolina
Santolina
Red clover and blue borage
Red clover and blue borage
Iris germanica (orris root)
Iris germanica (orris root)
Lawn daisies
Lawn daisies
Pineapple sage
Pineapple sage
Catmint white
Catmint white
Borage and brassica
Borage and brassica
Lavender and santolina
Lavender and santolina
French lavender
French lavender
Daylilies
Daylilies
Comfrey
Comfrey
Borage and red clover
Borage and red clover
Green santolina and curry plant
Green santolina and curry plant

Sage & comfrey
Sage & comfrey
Dyer's woad
Dyer’s woad

Hyssop
Hyssop

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