Edible Flower Gardening

A Beginner’s Guide to Edible Flower Gardening in New Brunswick

April. 26th 2026

If you’ve ever looked at your garden and thought, “This could use a little something extra,” edible flowers might be exactly what you’re missing.

 

They’re colourful, surprisingly easy to grow, and yes—you can actually eat them.

 

Here in New Brunswick, where we make the most of every sunny growing day, edible flowers are a fun way to mix beauty with practicality. Whether you’re working with a backyard garden or a few containers on the deck, adding edible blooms brings a whole new level of creativity to your space (and your kitchen).

 

At Scott’s Nursery, we’ve been seeing more and more gardeners—both beginners and seasoned pros—get curious about edible flowers. And honestly? It’s easy to see why.

 

In this guide, we’ll walk you through:

  • What grows well in our Maritime climate
  • When and how to harvest
  • What they taste like (and why that matters)
  • Simple ways to use them
  • A few easy recipes to get you started
  • And some important safety tips

Let’s dig in 🌱

What Edible Flowers Grow Best in New Brunswick?

When it comes to edible flowers in New Brunswick, success starts with choosing plants that can handle our unique mix of cool springs, warm summers, and the occasional weather curveball.

The great news? You’ve got more options than you might think—especially when you include flowering herbs and vegetables.

Easy Picks for Beginners

If you’re just getting started, these are reliable, low-maintenance, 

and quick to reward you:

Nasturtiums

Peppery, fast-growing, and very forgiving

Pansies & Violas

Cold-tolerant and perfect for early/late season

Calendula

Bright, hardy, and easy to care for

Borage

Quick to grow with a fresh cucumber flavour

Chives

Extremely hardy and comes back every year

Dill

Light, fresh flavour and easy to grow from seed

Cilantro

Bolts into flowers quickly (bonus for edible blooms!)

Arugula

Peppery flowers once it goes to seed

Perennials & Hardy Returners

Great choices if you want something that comes back year after year:

Mint

Vigorous grower (best in containers!)

Lavender

Needs sun and drainage, but thrives with the right setup

Sage & Rosemary

Hardy herbs with edible blooms

Agastache

Drought-tolerant and loved by pollinators

Bee Balm

Pollinator favourite with a light herbal flavour

Roses

Petals can be used in teas and desserts—just make sure they’re unsprayed.

Unique & Fun Additions to Try

For gardeners ready to experiment a little:

Chamomile

Perfect for calming herbal teas

Chrysanthemum

Slightly bitter, often used in teas

Cornflower

Mild flavour, stunning blue colour

Dianthus

Clove-like flavour, great for desserts

Dandelion

Yes, really! Slightly bitter but very versatile

Chervil

Delicate, parsley-like taste

Clover

Sweet and subtle

Chicory

Slightly bitter, often used in salads

Hollyhock

Mild flavour, mostly decorative

Stock

Lightly fragrant and ornamental

Flowers from Your Vegetable Garden

Some of the best edible flowers are already hiding in your veggie patch:

Scarlet Runner Bean

Sweet and subtle

Pea Flowers

Slightly bitter, often used in salads

Squash Blossoms

Mild flavour, mostly decorative

Basil Flowers

Sweet and subtle

Sunflowers

Slightly bitter, often used in salads

Garlic

Dependable and cold-hardy

Why These Work Well in NB

Our growing season isn’t the longest, so success comes down 

to choosing plants that are:

 

• Cold-tolerant    • Fast-growing  

• Adaptable to humidity    • Resilient to temperature swings

 

These varieties check all those boxes—making them perfect for local gardeners looking to try something new without a lot of extra effort.

Local tip: Many of these herbs and flowers pull double duty—beautiful in the garden and useful in the kitchen. You’ll often find a great selection of them ready to go at Scott’s Nursery throughout the season.

When and How to Harvest Edible Flowers

You’ve grown them—now comes the rewarding part.

Harvesting edible flowers isn’t complicated, but a few simple tips can make a big difference in flavour, freshness, and how long they last once picked.

Timing Is Everything

For the best results, aim to harvest your flowers:

  • In the morning, after the dew has dried
  • When blooms are fully open and vibrant
  • Before the heat of the day (this helps preserve flavour and structure)

Flowers picked at the right time not only taste better—they also look their best on the plate.

How to Harvest Properly

A gentle approach goes a long way:

  • Use clean scissors or garden snips
  • Cut just below the flower head
  • Handle petals carefully to avoid bruising
  • Place them in a shallow container or basket (no piling!)

Storage Tips (Short & Sweet)

Edible flowers are best used fresh, but if you need to store them:

  • Keep them in the fridge in a sealed container
  • Place a slightly damp paper towel inside to prevent drying out
  • Try to use them within 1–2 days

When Not to Harvest

Skip harvesting if:

  • It’s just rained heavily (flavour gets diluted)
  • Flowers look wilted or tired
  • They’ve been exposed to strong wind or heat stress

Pro Tip for NB Gardeners

With our sometimes unpredictable Maritime weather, keep an eye on your forecast.

If a stretch of rain is coming, it’s often worth harvesting a little early so you don’t miss your window.

Flavour Profiles & Benefits

One of the biggest surprises for new edible flower gardeners?
They don’t all taste the same—and some pack more flavour than you’d expect.

Understanding what each flower brings to the table makes it a lot easier (and more fun) to start experimenting in the kitchen.

Peppery & Zesty

Great for salads and savoury dishes that need a little kick

 

• Nasturtiums

• Arugula Flowers

Sweet & Floral

Perfect for desserts, drinks, and anything you want to feel a bit fancy:

 

• Roses

• Violets

• Lavender

• Dianthus

• Clover

Herbal & Fresh

These mirror the herbs themselves, often with a slightly milder flavour

 

• Basil flowers
• Mint
• Sage
• Rosemary
• Bergamot (Bee Balm)
• Agastache
• Chervil

Savoury & Onion-Like

Ideal for adding depth to everyday meals:

 

• Chives

• Garlic Blossoms

Mild & Garden-Fresh

Easy to use anywhere without overpowering a dish

 

• Borage
• Pea flowers
• Pansies & Violas
• Calendula
• Cornflower

Bold or Slightly Bitter 

(Use Lightly)

Best mixed into dishes rather than used on their own

 

• Dandelion
• Chicory
• Chrysanthemum
• Sunflower petals

Why Grow Edible Flowers?

With this expanded list, the benefits are even bigger:

 

• More variety = more pollinators 🐝

• More blooms = longer garden interest

• More flavour options = more creativity in the kitchen

A Maritime Gardener’s Take

In New Brunswick, where gardens often need to be both practical and resilient, edible flowers—especially herbs and veggie blooms—are a smart choice.

You’re not just growing something pretty…
you’re growing something useful.

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How to Use Edible Flowers in Everyday Cooking

This is where edible flowers really shine.

You don’t need to be a chef or overhaul your cooking style—most of the time, 

it’s about simple upgrades that make everyday meals feel a little more special.

Fresh & Simple: Toss Them Into Salads

This is the easiest place to start.

  • Mix nasturtiums, arugula flowers, and chive blossoms into green salads
  • Add calendula, pansies, or cornflower for a pop of colour
  • Sprinkle in dandelion petals for a slightly bitter edge

Think of them like a mix between greens and garnish—they add both flavour and visual appeal.

Upgrade the Basics

A few petals can completely transform everyday staples:

  • Chive or garlic blossoms → mix into butter or cream cheese
  • Basil flowers → stir into pasta or drizzle with olive oil
  • Sage or rosemary blooms → pair with roasted vegetables

 It’s an easy way to make something familiar feel new again.

Drinks That Feel a Little Fancy

Edible flowers and beverages are a perfect match:

  • Add borage or pea flowers to water or lemonade
  • Use lavender or chamomile in teas
  • Freeze pansies, mint, or small blooms into ice cubes

This is a great one for entertaining—or just making a regular day feel a bit more summery.

Sweet Touches for Desserts

If you’ve got a sweet tooth, there’s lots to try:

  • Decorate cakes with pansies, violas, or rose petals
  • Add dianthus or lavender to baked goods
  • Use clover or chamomile in syrups or honey

Even simple desserts look bakery-level with a few flowers on top.

Think Beyond Garnish

Some edible flowers can actually be used as ingredients:

  • Squash blossoms – stuffed, baked, or lightly fried
  • Daylilies – often used in stir-fries
  • Scarlet runner bean flowers – great in salads
  • Sunflower petals – sprinkle into grain bowls

These go beyond decoration—they’re part of the dish.

Quick Ideas to Try This Week

If you’re not sure where to start, try one of these:

  • Toss a handful of nasturtiums into your next salad
  • Freeze herbs and flowers into ice cubes for drinks
  • Mix chive blossoms into softened butter
  • Add borage to a glass of lemonade

Small steps = big impact.

Local Tip for NB Gardeners

Because our growing season moves quickly, edible flowers are perfect for making the most of what’s ready right now. 

Even a small harvest can go a long way when you’re using it as an accent.

And if you’re picking up herbs or bedding plants anyway, 

choosing a few edible varieties at Scott’s Nursery is an easy way to get started without extra planning.

Easy Edible Flower Recipes to Try

If you’re new to edible flowers, the key is to keep things simple. These ideas are quick, low-effort, and perfect for using what’s already growing in your garden.

Fresh Garden Salad with 

Nasturtiums & Herbs

You’ll need:

• Mixed greens

• Nasturtium flowers & leaves

• Arugula flowers (optional for extra kick)

• Chive blossoms

• Light vinaigrette

 

How to make it:

• Toss everything together just before serving

• Gently mix to avoid bruising the flowers

 

Peppery, fresh, and a great introduction to edible flowers

Simple Floral Lemonade

You’ll need:

• Fresh lemonade
• Borage, chamomile, or lavender
•  Ice

 

How to make it:

• Add flowers directly to a pitcher or individual glasses

• Let sit for a few minutes to lightly infuse

 

Refreshing, subtle, and perfect for warm NB summer days

Chive Blossom Herb Butter

You’ll need:

• Softened butter
• Chive blossoms (finely chopped)
• Garlic blossoms (optional)
• Pinch of salt

 

How to make it:

• Mix everything together

• Chill until firm

• Spread on bread, potatoes, or grilled veggies

 

Savoury, simple, and always a crowd-pleaser

A Quick Reminder

Start small. You don’t need a full garden harvest to enjoy edible flowers—just a handful can completely change a dish.

Important Safety Tips (Read Before You Eat!)

Before you start adding flowers to everything, there are a few important things to keep in mind:

  • Not all flowers are edible—always properly identify what you’re growing
  • Never eat flowers from florists or garden centres unless labelled edible (they may be treated)
  • Avoid roadside or sprayed plants
  • Introduce new flowers slowly in case of sensitivities
  • Remove bitter or tough parts (like stems or bases) when needed

 When in doubt, ask! The team at Scott’s Nursery is always happy to help you choose safe, edible varieties.

Title

Try Something New This Season

Gardening in New Brunswick is all about making the most of what we’ve got—and edible flowers are a perfect example of that.

They’re:

  • Easy to grow
  • Beautiful in the garden
  • Surprisingly useful in the kitchen

And maybe best of all, they make gardening feel a little more creative and fun.

Whether you start with a few nasturtiums in a container or go all-in with a full edible flower bed, there’s no wrong way to try it.

 

If you’re ready to get started, stop by Scott’s Nursery in Lincoln—we’ve got a great selection of herbs, flowers, and plenty of ideas to help you grow something new this season.