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Common edible flowers

English
The flower buds of the garden holly hock (Alcea rosea) are edible
Photo: Jardin botanique de Montréal (Michel Tremblay)
Alcea rosea

Perennials

Common name Scientific name Blooming months (Montreal) Flower uses Comments
Adam’s needle Yucca filamentosa July to August garnish Edible petals.
Balloon flower Platycodon grandiflorus July to August salad, stuffed, cystalllized, butter Chewable consistency. Sweet taste.
Bee balm Monarda didyma July to August salad, tea, lemonade Sweet taste. Edible leaves.
Common dandelion Taraxacum officinale May to June salad, crystalllized Young leaves and buds are edible. Pick all the blossoms.
Common yarrow Achillea millefolium July to August herbal tea, tea, lemonade Leaves and fruit also edible
Chrysanthemum Chrysanthemum x morifolium June to November salad, soup, sauce Bitter taste, blanch petales before using. Edible leaves.
Daylily Hemerocallis cv. July to August salad, soup, stuffed, candied, fried Chewable consistency. Peppery after-taste. Buds can be cooked or fried. Possible allergies: Test.
Grass pink Dianthus plumarius June to July salad, crystalllized, butter, lemonade, garnish Strongly scented, nutmeg aroma.
Musk mallow Malva moschata June to September salad, crystalllized Most mallows are edible.
Perennial phlox Phlox paniculata June to July fruit salad, crystalllized, butter Chewable consistency. Slightly spicy taste.
Plantain lily Hosta spp. July to August salad, crystalllized, fried, pickled, baked H. fortunei is the tastiest species. Edible buds.
Queen-of-the-meadow Filipendula ulmaria July to August tea, herbal tea, drinks Strongly scented.
Violet Viola cornuta June to Sept.

salad, vinegar, butter, tea, syrup, jelly

Strongly scented. Edible leaves.
Viola odorata May to June

Annuals and non-hardy perennials in the Montréal region

Common name Scientific name Blooming months (Montréal) Flower uses Comments
Begonia Begonia gr. semperflorens June to September fruit salad, crystalllized, garnish  
Carnation Dianthus caryophyllus June to September salad, crystalllized, butter, lemonade, garnish Strongly scented, nutmeg aroma.
Commmon sunflower Helianthus annuus August to September salad, soup Edible seeds.
Corn poppy Papaver rhoeas June to September garnish, syrup Petals only.
Garden snapdragon Antirrhinum majus June to September salad, crystalllized Strong odour, use moderately.
Geranium Pelargonium spp. June to September salad, crystalllized, flower water, garnish, herbal tea Leaves of perfumed species can be used for steeping.
Impatiens Impatiens walleriana June to September garnish
Chewable texture.  Petals or whole flowers.
Lady’s eradrops Fuchsia spp. June to September crystalllized, marinated, garnish  
Marigold Tagetes lucida
T. patula
T. tenuifolia		 June to September salad, herbal tea, garnish Saffron substitute. Some cultivars have citrus tastes.
Nasturtium Tropaeolum majus June to September salad, butter, stuffed, crystalllized Taste close to watercress. Rich in vitamin C. Buds, seeds, and leaves edible.
Pansy Viola tricolor
Viola x wittrockiana		 June to September salad, crystalllized, butter Remove the bitter stem before using.
Pot marigold Calendula officinalis June to September salad, soup, butter, sauce, drinks, cookies Saffron substitute. Edible buds.
Stock Matthiola incana June to September salad, crystalllized Perfumed taste.
Tall mallow Malva sylvestris June to September salad, crystalllized Most mallows are edible.

Bulbs and biennials

Common name Scientific name Blooming months (Montréal) Flower uses Comments
Corn flag Gladiolus cv. August to September salad, stuffed, garnish Sweet taste.
English daisy Bellis perennis June salad, crystalllized  
Garden hollyhock Alcea rosea July to August salad, crystalllized, stuffed Edible buds.
Sweet William Dianthus barbatus July to August salad, cystalllized, butter, lemonade, garnish Strongly scented, nutmeg aroma.
Tulip Tulipa cv. May to June salad, crystalllized, stuffed Chewable consistency. Slightly sweet taste. Remove stamens and pistils before using.