The best part about your Pollinator Garden? It can offer you a ton of delicious and beautiful garnishes for your recipes – all you have to do is step out your back door and collect. 

We know your flower garden is giving food and shelter to pollinators, but what else is it good for – aside from being beautiful? If you plant flowers like Roses, Marigolds, Butterfly Pea Flowers, Violas, Pansies, or Lavender, you have a collection of edible flowers that can completely transform your everyday meals. 

So many of these flowers are favorites of bees and other pollinators, so from garden to table, you’re doing something bigger than beautifying your dishes. You’re contributing to the health of pollinators and the repopulation and growth of plants in your area!

Utilizing edible flowers in your meals is a beautiful and super easy way to elevate your dishes. Whether you're garnishing a dish or incorporating them as a key ingredient, edible flowers can add a touch of elegance, unique flavors, and vibrant colors to your recipes. Here are our top 4 favorites: 

Marigolds: Mildly citrusy and peppery, perfect for salads and garnishes.

Violas: Sweet and slightly grassy, ideal for desserts and cocktails.

Dianthus: Clove-like flavor, great for baked goods and salads.

Basil Flowers: Similar to basil leaves, wonderful in savory dishes and garnishes.

Recipes with Edible Flowers

Spring Pavlova with Blackberry Burnt Honey Cream

A crown of airy meringue is the perfect vessel for the deep flavor of burnt honey and blackberries. Add edible flowers and get a touch of elegance and a slight floral note to complement the sweetness of the cream. The bright red currants and delicate blooms make this dessert visually stunning and absolutely delicious.

Strawberry and Goat Cheese Crostini

This warm-weather appetizer is both easy and impressive. A honey balsamic drizzle brings out the sweetness of ripe strawberries, complementing the tangy goat cheese. Fresh basil leaves and edible flowers like nasturtiums or chive blossoms add a burst of color and a peppery bite that enhances the overall flavor. These crostinis are perfect for entertaining and showcase how simple ingredients can create a gourmet experience.

Honey Compound Butters

These honey-flavored compound butters are great for more than just spreading on toast or biscuits. Each butter variation—garlic and chive, Greek, Indian-spice, and umami—is rolled in edible flowers for an eye-catching presentation. The flowers not only provide visual appeal but also a hint of flavor, like the slight spiciness of marigolds or the sweetness of violas. Use these butters to add a flavorful finishing touch to steaks, fish, or even popcorn.

This yeast bread, sweetened with honey and decorated with edible flowers and herbs, is guaranteed to impress. Flowers like dianthus, bachelor’s buttons, and micro star flowers, along with fresh herbs, make the focaccia look like a garden in full bloom. The flowers add a delicate floral note and a burst of color to the savory bread. Serve it with softened butter and more honey for a delightful and beautiful treat.

Tinto de Verano

This Spanish, effervescent drink screams summer with its red-wine base and honey lemon-lime syrup. Marigolds are used as a garnish, adding a splash of color and a slightly citrusy flavor that enhances the drink’s refreshing qualities. This cocktail is similar to sangria but with a unique twist from the honey and floral garnish, making it perfect for warm evenings.

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