9 tasty summer blooms

Bee balm (Monarda)

The pink petals of bee balm (or bergamot) can taste of spice, citrus or mint. They complement rice, fish and pasta dishes, plus salads and sauces. They are also great added to lemonade, cocktails or black tea. Grow in moist, well-drained soil in sun or semi-shade. H: 3ft (90cm).

Cornflower (Centaurea cyanus)

Petals have a sweet, spicy taste and can be sprinkled over salads and cakes, baked in shortbread or frozen in ice cubes for cocktails. Sow this hardy annual direct or under cover in spring or autumn for flowers throughout summer, which feed bees. H: 2.5ft (75cm).

Jasmine (Jasminum officinale and Jasminum sambac)

Add the white flowers to green tea. They can be made into a sweet syrup or added to desserts, ice cream and cocktails. Grow in retentive, well-drained soil in sheltered sun. Note: Many other types of jasmine are not edible. H: 13ft (4m).

Squash (Cucurbita)

The flowers of courgettes and other squashes have a sweet taste, and can be stuffed with cheese and baked, dipped in batter, fried or eaten raw. Add to omelettes, pasta and salads. Sow under cover in mid-spring or direct in late May or June into rich, retentive, well-drained soil in sun. H: 2ft (60cm).

Pinks (Dianthus)

The petals of carnations and pinks (such as D. plumarius) have a sweet clove taste. Add to salads and use to flavour desserts and jam. Remove the white of the petals before using because it’s bitter. Grow pinks in well-drained neutral to alkaline soil in sheltered sun. H: 10in (25cm).

Lavender (Lavandula)

Queen Elizabeth I drank lavender tea and ate lavender conserve to soothe migraines. This aromatic herb is said to detox, calm and relieve headaches. Its purple flowers can be added to shortbread and ice cream. Grow in welldrained, sun-baked soil. H: 2ft (60cm).

Daylily (Hemerocallis)

Eaten for centuries in China, buds and petals of daylilies are crunchy and juicy with a sweet taste. Add the petals to salads, soups and stir-fries. Grow in retentive, well-drained soil in sun. H: 18-35in (45-90cm).

Note: daylilies are not true lilies; true lilies should not be eaten!

Nasturtium (Tropaeolum majus)

Nasturtium flowers have a peppery, watercress flavour that is great in salads, as well as adding colour. They also work well with pasta, egg or cheese dishes. Nasturtiums thrive in well-drained soil in full sun and the trailing types enjoy hanging baskets. H: 5ft (1.5m).

Elder (Sambucus nigra)

The white flowerheads of the elder tree make a lovely cordial to flavour water or summer cocktails. They also look and taste wonderful fried in batter and dusted with sugar. Note: The leaves and bark of elder are poisonous and the berries shouldn’t be eaten raw. H: 20ft (6m).