Edible Flowers and Herbs

     For the city gardener trying to set out a lovely front yard and still keep peace in the gated community, here are some edible plants with lovely flowers or foliage to choose from:

Rose:  The petals of the flowers have long been dredged in the whites of eggs and then dredged in sugar.  When dry they make an aromatic candy.  Fragrant petals rinsed through water make a scented fluid to use in cakes and pastries.    
Rose hips are high in vitamin c.  Make tea with fresh hips for the highest concentration of vitamin for colds.  
Candying flowers also works for other edible flowers like pansies and nasturtium.

Other edible flowers are:lavender, thyme, dill, cilantro, day lily, squash blossom, Nasturtiums, chives, and basil, from the website: http://whatscookingamerica.net/EdibleFlowers

www.sciencedaily.com

Chamomile:  Dried flowers make a nice calming tea.  Known for its uses in treating insomnia and stomach ailments, not for pregnant women as it can cause contractions.

These are my aloe in bloom

Aloe:  For use in treating burns, cuts and scraps.  A skin softener. It comes in many varieties and blooms in many colors.  Aloe Vera growing from the deserts of Arizona through the rainy days in Florida.  These are the ones in my yard.

http://www.debralynndadd.com

Pineapple:  If you are growing Aloe in a dry rocky spot, try adding in a pineapple! It looks like the aloe and will give, hmmm, Pineapple!  Please visit the above site for a look at a sweet kitchen garden.  

http://hungrymotherorganics.com

Look how very colorful your yard could be with a little research and planning!
Garden skills translate into farming skills.  Gardening is a great excuse to get outdoors and smell fresh air!  Get some survival skills and some nature while you're at it.