Edible Beauty: The 10 Best Flowering Herbs
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The intersection of beauty and utility is rarely as evident as it is in flowering herbs. These unique plants stand as a testament to the idea that something can be both functional and aesthetically pleasing.
In gardens, while many plants either offer visual delight or serve a utilitarian purpose, flowering herbs seamlessly blend the two. Their vibrant blooms paint the landscape with splashes of color, while their leaves, stems, or roots often harbor culinary, medicinal, or aromatic treasures.
For gardeners these herbs offer an exciting dimension to explore. Imagine a garden where flowers and herbs are not segregated, but rather intertwined in a dance of colors, fragrances, and flavors.
The flowers provide a visual treat and attract beneficial pollinators, while the rest of the plant stands ready to be used in the kitchen or as a home remedy.
To learn more about herb gardening, check out my guides How to Start a Raised Bed Herb Garden and How to Store Dried Herbs: Tips to Ensure they Last Longer.
In this guide:
Top 10 Edible Flowering Herbs
In the realm of herbs, a special category captivates not just with aromatic foliage but also with striking blooms. These flowering herbs are a testament to nature's ability to produce plants that are as delightful to the eyes as they are beneficial in various applications.
Let's delve deeper into some of these fascinating herbs and uncover their visual and functional charms.
Basil (Ocimum basilicum)
Flowers: White, pink, or purple spikes.
Why: Basil is versatile in culinary applications, from salads to pesto. Its flowers are also edible, offering a milder basil flavor.
To learn more about growing basil, check out my guides How to Propagate Basil Like a Pro, How to Harvest Basil Seeds the Right Way, and The Best Basil Companion Plants.
Here are the basil seeds I recommend growing:
Learn more about Herbs That Can Be Planted Together: The Best Combinations.
Chives (Allium schoenoprasum)
Flowers: Soft pink to purple globe-shaped blooms.
Why: Chive flowers add a mild oniony flavor to dishes. They can be sprinkled on salads or used as a garnish. Check out my guides to Growing Chives in Pots and The Best Chive Companion Plants.
Here are the chive seeds I recommend:
Calendula (Calendula officinalis)
Flowers: Bright orange or yellow.
Why: Known as "Pot Marigold," calendula flowers are often used in salads. They have healing properties and are frequently used in skin treatments.
Learn more about growing calendula with my guide The Easiest Way to Grow Calendula from Seed.
My recommended pick: Calendula Pacific Beauty Mix
Borage (Borago officinalis)
Flowers: Bright blue star-shaped flowers.
Why: Borage flowers have a cool, cucumber-like flavor. They're great in drinks, salads, or as garnishes. Borage is also renowned for its mood-lifting properties.
Here are the borage seeds I recommend planting:
Lavender (Lavandula angustifolia)
Flowers: Purple spikes.
Why: Lavender flowers are known for their calming aroma. They are often used in baked goods, teas, and even as a spice in certain dishes.
To learn more about lavender, check out my guides How to Take Lavender Cuttings: A Step-by-Step Guide and How to Create a Lavender Hedge.
Here are the lavender plants I recommend:
Rosemary (Rosmarinus officinalis)
Flowers: Usually blue, but can also be pink, purple, or white.
Why: Rosemary is a popular culinary herb, and its flowers are a beautiful and flavorful addition to dishes. They have a milder taste compared to the leaves. Learn How to Propagate Rosemary: A Step-by-Step Guide.
Here is the rosemary I recommend growing in your herb garden:
Mint (Mentha)
Flowers: White or purple clusters.
Why: Beyond the aromatic leaves, mint flowers also pack flavor. They're a lovely addition to desserts, teas, or garnishes.
Learn How Often to Water Mint.
Here is my favorite mint to grow:
Nasturtium (Tropaeolum majus)
Flowers: Bright orange, yellow, or red.
Why: Both the flowers and leaves of nasturtium are edible. They have a peppery taste, akin to arugula, making them a vibrant addition to salads. Learn more about Utilizing Nasturtium Companion Plants for Natural Pest Control.
Here are the nasturtium seeds I recommend:
Sage (Salvia officinalis)
Flowers: Typically purple, blue, or white.
Why: Sage is renowned for its robust flavor in cooking. Its flowers offer a subtler version of the leaf's taste and can be used similarly.
Learn more about From Garden to Kitchen: The Art of Harvesting Sage.
Here are the sage plants I love growing:
Dill (Anethum graveolens)
Flowers: Yellow umbrella-like clusters.
Why: Dill flowers have a concentrated dill flavor. They can be used fresh or pickled, often found in pickling recipes.
Learn How to Prune Dill.
Here is the dill I recommend planting:
Each of these herbs offers a unique combination of taste, aesthetic, and, in many cases, medicinal properties, making them valuable additions to gardens and kitchens alike. By integrating these flowering herbs into your garden, you're inviting a play of colors, fragrances, and textures.
Whether you're looking to attract beneficial insects, create aromatic corners, or simply introduce a dash of color, these flowering herbs promise to transform your garden into a lively canvas of nature's best offerings.
A Quick View of Herbs by Flower Color
Nature's palette is incredibly vast, and the world of flowering herbs offers a glimpse into this chromatic diversity. The colors of their blooms are more than just aesthetic delights; they often signal unique properties, benefits, and histories that these herbs carry.
Here's a more detailed exploration of flowering herbs, showcasing the vibrancy and variety of their blooms:
Yellow Flowers: Calendula (Calendula officinalis)
Often referred to as "Pot Marigold," calendula shines bright with sunny, yellow blooms.
These flowers aren't just a joy to behold; they've been revered for their medicinal properties for centuries. Calendula petals can be infused into oils that are used to soothe the skin, and their anti-inflammatory properties are beneficial for various skin ailments.
They can also be sprinkled over salads for a burst of color and subtle flavor.
Pink Flowers: Chives (Allium schoenoprasum)
While chives are predominantly known for their slender green leaves that lend a mild onion flavor to dishes, they surprise many with their delightful, globe-shaped pink flowers.
These flowers are not just ornamental; they're edible too.
With a slightly peppery taste, they can be used as a garnish or added to salads and other dishes, making for both a visual and culinary treat.
Blue Flowers: Borage (Borago officinalis)
Borage, also known as "Starflower," is an age-old herb that boasts striking blue flowers. These star-shaped blooms aren't just visually captivating; they've been used in culinary applications for their cool, cucumber-like flavor. Beyond the kitchen, borage flowers have been historically used for their mood-lifting properties, and the plant itself has been known to have various medicinal benefits.
Purple Flowers: Lavender (Lavandula angustifolia)
Among the most iconic flowering herbs with purple flowers, lavender stands in a league of its own. Its botanical name, Lavandula, hints at its long history of use in bathing rituals.
With silvery-green foliage and fragrant purple flowers that bloom in summer, lavender has been cherished not just for its appearance but also for its calming scent, which is extensively used in aromatherapy.
Learn more about lavender in my article When Does Lavender Bloom?
Light and Location for Flowering Herbs
A thriving garden is an orchestration of various factors, but among the most influential are light and location. Just as in real estate, "location, location, location" is key in gardening too.
For flowering herbs, which carry the dual responsibility of producing both flavorful leaves and vibrant flowers, these factors are particularly crucial.
The Power of Sunlight
Sunlight doesn’t just nourish the plant through photosynthesis; it plays a pivotal role in the herb's growth, aroma, and the vibrancy of its blooms:
Full Sun Exposure: Most flowering herbs thrive in full sun, which generally means they require at least six hours of direct sunlight daily.
Full sun enhances the concentration of essential oils in many herbs, making them more aromatic and flavorful.
Examples include:
Partial Shade: Some herbs, while benefiting from sun, don’t need the intense midday heat.
They prefer the filtered light that partial shade provides, especially in hotter climates:
Picking the Perfect Location
Well-Draining Soil: Most herbs detest "wet feet," meaning they don’t thrive in soggy soil. Locations that offer well-draining soil prevent root rot and other moisture-related issues.
Elevated beds or pots with good drainage holes can be ideal.
Accessibility: Since many of these herbs will find their way into your kitchen, consider planting them in easily accessible spots.
Raised beds or containers near the kitchen door can make snipping herbs a breeze.
Protection from Harsh Elements: While many herbs are hardy, it's a good idea to plant them where they can be protected from harsh winds or intense midday heat. Some might need winter protection in cooler zones.
Attracting Pollinators: Consider locations where beneficial insects frequent. Planting flowering herbs near vegetable gardens can be advantageous, as they attract pollinators and beneficial insects, enhancing pollination and reducing pest issues.
In summary, while each herb has its unique requirements, understanding the nuances of light and location can go a long way in ensuring a vibrant, flourishing herb garden.
Observing the sun's path in your garden, knowing your soil type, and being mindful of each herb's specific needs will help these delightful plants thrive.
Why Grow Flowering Herbs?
Flowering herbs are a fusion of functionality and beauty. Their allure lies not only in their aesthetic appeal but also in the diverse advantages they bring to gardens, kitchens, and even ecosystems.
Here's why growing flowering herbs can be a delightful and rewarding endeavor:
1. Dual-Purpose Plants
Flowering herbs offer the best of both worlds:
Culinary Advantages: Many flowering herbs provide leaves, stems, and sometimes even flowers that are culinary delights.
Whether it's basil's aromatic leaves or the peppery punch of nasturtium flowers, these herbs enhance the flavor profiles of various dishes.
Aesthetic Appeal: Beyond their taste, the blooms of these herbs serve as visual treats. Lavender's purple spikes or the bright yellow blossoms of calendula can elevate the aesthetics of any garden.
2. Attracting Beneficial Insects
For Pollination: Flowering herbs are magnets for pollinators. Be it bees buzzing around borage flowers or butterflies flitting about anise hyssop, these herbs enhance the health and productivity of your entire garden.
Natural Pest Control: They also attract beneficial insects like ladybugs and lacewings that keep pest populations in check.
3. Medicinal and Therapeutic Properties
Many flowering herbs double up as home remedies:
Calendula has skin-soothing properties.
Chamomile flowers can be brewed into a calming tea. Learn more about Harvesting Chamomile: From Garden to Teacup.
Lavender is revered for its relaxation and sleep-inducing attributes.
4. Eco-Friendly Garden Fillers
Instead of solely relying on ornamental plants that may demand higher resources, flowering herbs are sustainable alternatives.
They often require less water and thrive without synthetic fertilizers or pesticides.
5. Encourages Biodiversity
Introducing a variety of flowering herbs promotes garden diversity, making it more resilient to pests and diseases. A diverse garden is also more resilient to environmental fluctuations and changes.
6. Learning and Exploration
For those passionate about plants, growing flowering herbs is an educational journey. It offers insights into botany, traditional remedies, culinary arts, and even history (given how many herbs have tales from ancient civilizations).
7. Cost-Effective Gardening
Growing flowering herbs can be a boon for budget gardeners. Once established, many herbs are perennial or self-seeding, ensuring you have a continual supply without additional costs.
Moreover, they reduce the need to buy fresh herbs or flowers from stores.
FAQs
Can you use flowering herbs?
Yes, you can use flowering herbs. Both the leaves and often the flowers of many herb plants are edible and can be used for culinary or medicinal purposes. When herbs flower, it is a sign they are at their peak of maturity.
The flowers of herbs like basil, chives, lavender, and calendula are not only edible but can also add flavor and aesthetic appeal to dishes. However, it's essential to note that once an herb starts flowering, the leaves might become slightly bitter or have a changed flavor profile.
It's always a good idea to taste-test before adding them to your dish. Also, ensure that the herbs haven't been treated with any chemicals or pesticides that aren't food-safe.
Why are my herbs flowering?
Herbs flowering, also known as "bolting," is a natural part of the plant's life cycle.
When an herb plant bolts, it's transitioning from the vegetative growth phase to the reproductive phase, where it aims to produce seeds.
Several factors can trigger this change:
Age: As the plant matures, it will naturally reach a point where it wants to reproduce, leading to flowering.
Heat: Sudden spikes in temperature or prolonged periods of intense heat can push herbs to bolt.
Many herbs, especially those like cilantro and lettuce, are sensitive to heat.
Day Length: Some plants are photoperiod sensitive, which means they bolt when the day length reaches a certain threshold.
Stress: Factors such as inconsistent watering (either too much or too little), a lack of nutrients, or overcrowding can stress the plant, leading to premature bolting.
Genetics: Some varieties of herbs are more bolt-resistant than others. If you find your herbs bolting too quickly, you might want to consider opting for bolt-resistant varieties next planting season.
When your herbs start flowering, it's an indicator for gardeners to harvest soon, especially if they're growing the herb primarily for its leaves. While flowering can change the flavor profile of the herb slightly, it also presents an opportunity to harvest and save seeds for the next planting season.
Should you stop herbs from flowering?
Whether or not you should stop herbs from flowering, or "bolting," largely depends on your goals and the specific herb in question.
Here are some considerations:
Flavor Preservation: Once many herbs begin to flower, the energy of the plant starts shifting from leaf production to flower and seed production. This change can make the leaves more bitter or alter their flavor.
If you're growing herbs mainly for culinary use, you'd want to delay flowering to ensure the leaves maintain their optimal taste. Pinching off the flower buds or "deadheading" as they appear can help prolong the vegetative state of the herb.
Leaf Production: If you want to maximize the quantity of leaves you harvest, it's advisable to prevent or delay flowering. Flowering typically reduces leaf production since the plant's focus shifts to producing seeds.
Seed Collection: If you're aiming to collect seeds from your herbs for future planting, you'll need to let them flower and go to seed.
Attracting Pollinators: Flowering herbs are magnets for beneficial insects like bees, butterflies, and other pollinators. If you're looking to boost the pollinator population in your garden, allowing some of your herbs to flower can be beneficial.
Aesthetic Appeal: Many herb flowers are quite attractive and can add visual interest to your garden. If you're growing herbs for ornamental purposes, you might want to let them bloom.
Medicinal and Therapeutic Use: Some herbs are grown for both their leaves and their flowers due to their therapeutic properties. For instance, chamomile flowers are often harvested for teas.
How to Prevent Bolting: If you decide to delay or prevent your herbs from flowering:
Regularly harvest or pinch off the tops of the plants to encourage bushier growth and delay bolting.
Ensure consistent watering and avoid stressing the plant.
Grow bolt-resistant varieties if available.
Provide shade during extremely hot days to cool-sensitive herbs like cilantro.
In summary, whether or not you should stop your herbs from flowering depends on your objectives. Being clear about your gardening goals will help you make informed decisions about managing your herb plants' lifecycle.
There's a special place for flowering herbs in every garden. From the bee balm that produces pretty purple blossoms to the vibrant red flowers of pineapple sage, these herbs add a dash of color and functionality to our gardens.
Beyond their visual appeal, plants like those in the mint family are powerhouses in attracting beneficial wildlife. They not only attract bees with their aromatic allure but also contribute to a garden that buzzes with life and activity.
Its evident that the benefits of cultivating flowering herbs extend far beyond their beauty, making them a must-have in every garden.
Learn more about How to Store Dried Herbs: Tips to Ensure they Last Longer.
