Flowers offer so much joy. They lift my spirits, smell heavenly, and bring life to any room. Best of all, flowers are super craft-worthy. As a life-long gardener, there have been seasons where I have skipped growing veggies, but I have never ignored growing the flowers of my heart.

Speaking of vegetable gardens, did you know there are flowers that you can eat? Some blooms are just begging to be brought into the kitchen and served with your favorite culinary dishes. It's creativity at its most delicious!

Edible flowers add pizzazz to salads, salad dressings, bean dishes, rice dishes, soups, pasta, omelets, sauces, pizza, syrups, cookies, cakes, and vegetable dishes. They are nothing short of gorgeous in artisan butters and spreads, or as a fresh garnish in summer drinks. Floral ice cubes and sugared flowers are sweet added bonuses!

{I know, I know. This article isn't exactly about crafting. That said, it will be linked to another article on sugared flowers, so it's going to stay right here.}

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But First: Here’s Da Rules (No Excuses)

That’s right, when it comes to edibles, we must be extra safe about our choices.

1. Only eat flowers that come from plants that you can 100% identify as an edible plant or flower.

2. Like with any potentially edible plant, eat only the parts of that plant that are known to be safe for human consumption.

3. Choose flowers that have been grown organically and have not been sprayed with pesticides or herbicides.

Most popular edible flowers for culinary use:

• Nasturtiums (Tropaeolum majus)

• Marigolds (Tagates erecta, T. patula)

• Bee balm (Monarda didyma)

• Primrose (Primula vulgaris)

• Peony (Paeonia lactiflora)

• Roses (Rosa)

• Gladiolus (Gladiolus)

• Lavender (Lavendula)

• Hollyhock (Alcea rosea)

• Lilac (Syringa vulgaris)

• Calendula (Calendula officinalis)

• Cornflower (Centaurea cynaus)

• Johnny-Jump-up (Viola)

• Daylily (Hemerocallis)

• Honeysuckle (Lonicera japonica)

• Sunflower (Helianthus annus)

• Dianthus (Dianthus)

• Rose-of-Sharon (Hibiscus syriacus)

• Zinnia (zinnia elegans)