Blooming tasty

EDIBLE flowers are growing in popularity when it comes to kitchen gardens. No longer just for fine dining, they're adding colour and character to cocktails, cakes, ice cubes, and savoury dishes alike.

- DAVID DOMONEY

Whether you want to impress guests or simply brighten your meals, edible flowers are a fragrant, fabulous touch.

Just be sure you only eat flowers that definitely haven't been sprayed with garden chemicals.

If in doubt, it’s better to stay safe and choose an alternative.

Try these for starters...

Edible flowers you might already be growing

You'd be surprised how many edible blooms are already growing in your garden. Rose petals, for example, are not just beautifully fragrant - they're edible too.

Choose highly scented varieties for the best flavour, especially when crystallised and used on cakes.

■Lavender: With its calming scent and sweet floral notes, it pairs well with desserts and syrups.