Flowers in the garden are like eye candy! They are visually attractive, smell delicious, and some of them are actually edible. There are multiple categories of edible beauties, and a few explored in this article are flowers, herbs, and ornamentals.
For the North Texas landscape and garden, there flowers that grow well in our area that can add beauty in the garden and delight the taste buds. Flowers such as roses, chrysanthemums, daylilies, gardenias, gladiolus, and lilies are just a few. It is important to note that not all parts of the flowers are edible. Research is required before ingesting any parts of a flowers to ensure they are truly edible. Additionally, it is important to know how the flowers were grown. Any flowers intended for human consumption should not be treated with any pesticides. To ensure that flowers you’d like to eat is pesticide free, it is best to grow your own.
In our area several of the easy to grow from seed flowers are: Calendula (pot marigold), carnations (pinks), bachelor buttons (cone flower), and nasturtiums. Most of these flower seeds can be planted early fall for spring flowers. However, nasturtiums prefer a little warmer weather and should be planted in early spring. Some of these plants may also be available at your local superstore or nursery but please keep in mind that it is important to know if the plants were chemically treated before consuming.
The contrast of the leaves of herbs when planted in groupings offers a visual delight. Example of a complimentary contrast is rosemary with any mint and basil; this combination looks quite pretty in a container. Most herbs are aromatic and provide a pleasing fragrance wherever they are planted. A few flowering herbs are pineapple sage, basil, and Texas tarragon. Their floral contrast of red, white, and yellow are very complimentary to each other. All are aromatic and enhances the flavors of many foods. Some herbs are also used for medicinal purposes. Herbs are quite the multi-taskers in the landscape and garden, serving many purposes.
Additionally, ornamental edibles can play an important role in adding texture and color while providing
an excellent source of nutrition. The fall is an excellent time of year to grow flowering kale and cabbages.
They are of the brassica family and can tolerate some frost similar to their cousins of broccoli, cauliflower, and brussels sprouts. The leaves of ornamental kale have deeply frilled edges and the centers of can be white, fuchsia, purple, or red, depending upon the variety.
Ornamental peppers can also add a pop of color in the landscape. For summer color in your landscape or garden a Basket of Fire pepper variety is a Texas Superstar plant. A Texas Superstar is a plant that has been tested to ensure that it will perform well for both consumers and growers in our great state. For more Texas Superstar options, click the link below. https://texassuperstar.com/texas-superstar-plants/
Gardening is almost a year ‘round pleasure in North Texas. As you visit your local stores and nurseries this holiday season, keep your eyes open to find edible flowers, ornamentals, herbs, and seeds for your landscape or garden.
https://aggie-horticulture.tamu.edu/vegetable/guides/specialty-vegetables/edible-flowers/ https://agrilifetoday.tamu.edu/2018/06/14/basket-of-fire-pepper-latest-texas-superstar-release/
https://aggie-hort.tamu.edu/county/smith/tips/flowers/ornamentalKale08.html https://agrilifeextension.tamu.edu/asset-local/texas-superstar-plants/
by Bettie Gray, ECMG