Volunteers often make cakes for our events and they look so beautiful when they are decorated with edible flowers. We have also often used edible flowers in making elderflower & gorse flower cordials. See our elderflower recipies.
Expect to see some wildflower cakes & elderflower / gorse mocktails or cocktails at our Beltane May day event.
Foraging Safely
Before gathering or using any flowers, it’s important to be confident in identification. Only pick from clean areas, well away from roads, pollution, sprayed ground and places where dogs are likely to have been. Remember that some flowers are edible only in small amounts, and if you’re ever unsure, it’s best to leave it out.
Leave plenty for Wildlife / Take a little, leave a lot.
It’s also important to harvest with care and leave plenty behind. Flowers are not just for us, they are a vital food source for bees, butterflies and many other pollinators, especially in early spring when resources can still be scarce. A good rule of thumb is to take only a small amount from any one plant or patch, and to move on rather than gathering heavily in one place.
Edible Flowers to Look Out for in the UK
There are many common flowers that can be enjoyed safely and simply:
- Elderflower
Perhaps the most well-known, with its soft, floral fragrance. Perfect for cordials, fritters and light desserts. - Dandelion
Bright and cheerful, the petals can be used in syrups, salads or even traditional dandelion wine. - Primrose
Delicate and mild, lovely for decorating cakes or adding to salads. - Wild garlic / 3 cornered leek flowers
With a gentle garlic flavour, these are ideal in savoury dishes or sprinkled over salads. - Nasturtium
Peppery and vibrant, a brilliant addition to salads. - Borage
Star-shaped blue flowers with a fresh, cucumber-like taste, perfect in drinks. - Calendula
Often used to add colour to rice, butter or baked goods. - Rose
Fragrant petals for syrups, jams and desserts. - Lavender
Strong and aromatic, best used sparingly in baking. - Violet
Sweet and delicate, often crystallised for cake decoration. - Chamomile
Known for tea, but also lovely infused into creams and desserts. - Gorse
A local favourite, with a subtle coconut scent. Ideal for infusions and syrups. - Forget-me-not
Edible in small amounts, best used as a decorative touch.
Using Flowers in Baking and Cooking
Edible flowers can be used in many simple and creative ways:
Decorating cakes and bakes
One of the easiest ways to use flowers is simply to place them on cakes, biscuits or tarts. They instantly transform something homemade into something celebratory.
Infused syrups and drinks
Flowers like elderflower, rose, lavender and gorse can be steeped in hot water with sugar to create fragrant syrups. These can be used in drinks, drizzled over cakes, or added to desserts.
Flavoured sugars and butters
Petals can be mixed into sugar or softened butter to create something subtle and seasonal. Lavender sugar or rose butter can add a gentle floral note to baking.
Baking into cakes and biscuits
Some flowers can be folded directly into cake batters or biscuit doughs. Lavender shortbread and elderflower sponge are classic examples.
Crystallised flowers
Violets and rose petals can be brushed with egg white and dusted with sugar, then left to dry. The result is a delicate, sparkling decoration.
Salads and savoury dishes
Peppery nasturtiums, mild primroses, and wild garlic flowers can all be added to salads for colour and flavour.
More Than Food
Flowers aren’t just for eating. They also play a role in how we celebrate and connect with the seasons.
Making flower crowns, decorating spaces, or simply gathering blooms together can be just as meaningful as cooking with them. They bring a sense of occasion, especially at seasonal festivals like Beltane, where blossom and fertility are central themes.
A Seasonal Invitation
Using edible flowers is less about precise recipes and more about noticing what’s around you. A handful of petals on a cake, a simple infusion, or a shared activity of gathering and creating can all be part of it.
At this time of year, the land is offering colour, scent and flavour in abundance. Taking a moment to gather and use these gifts, whether in the kitchen or as decoration, is a simple way to celebrate the season.