WINTER FLOWERS FOR THE VEGGIE GARDEN

Winter veggies need full sun, and that can be a tall order for small or high-density properties

- Alice Spenser-Higgs

But if you have such a patch, or can make a plan with containers, why not create a beautiful and productive space by adding edible winter flowers or those that act as companion plants? 

The flowers that immediately come to mind are pansies, violas, calendula and nasturtiums, but there are many more. For instance, cornflowers, carnations and poppies provide nectar for the bees, chamomile stimulates growth, lavender and petunias are pest repellents, and other flowers with edible petals include rose-scented geranium, Bellis perennis (English daisy) and snapdragons. Also look out for day-length neutral sunflowers that come in bumper seed packs. They might take a little longer to germinate but will attract bees when in flower at the beginning of spring.

Don't forget about flowering herbs. Dill is a cool-season herb with large heads of yellow flowers that act as an insect trap, as do nasturtiums. If left to flower at the end of winter, Asian greens such as Mizuna and Tatsoi throw up delicate yellow flowers that also attract bees, and the flowers are edible.

5 edible flowers

When using flowers, keep the dish simple so that the delicate taste of the flower is not overpowered.

1. Rose-scented geranium

Geraniums (Pelargonium species) have very fragrant leaves and flowers. Although the edible mauve flowers only appear in summer, the leaves can be used in winter to flavour biscuits and cakes, or made into a strong infusion for flavouring sauces, custards and jellies. Freeze the leaves in ice cubes and add to drinks. This frost-tolerant geranium grows 80cm high and wide, and does best in full sun in welldraining soil. The aromatic leaves also deter pests.

2. Pansies and violas