WINTER FLOWERS FOR THE VEGGIE GARDEN

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
この記事は The Gardener の May 2023 版に掲載されています。
7 日間の Magzter GOLD 無料トライアルを開始して、何千もの厳選されたプレミアム ストーリー、9,500 以上の雑誌や新聞にアクセスしてください。
すでに購読者です ? サインイン
この記事は The Gardener の May 2023 版に掲載されています。
7 日間の Magzter GOLD 無料トライアルを開始して、何千もの厳選されたプレミアム ストーリー、9,500 以上の雑誌や新聞にアクセスしてください。
すでに購読者です? サインイン

Preserving apples
The end of the apple season means that apples need to be preserved for the next six months until the next harvest is ready.

Golden Oregano
Origanum vulgare ‘Aureum’, as its name suggests, is golden yellow in full sun and cool weather. These bright herbs are highly fragrant, with a classic oregano taste and aroma, and are often used in the kitchen for pasta and pizza. In summer, the yellow leaves will be covered with small pink and purple flowers.

Potting up a conifer
Conifers generally are well-behaved plants with interesting, evergreen foliage and mostly formal and neat growth habits. This makes them stately candidates for roomy containers.

Enduring and venerable trees
There cannot ever be a good reason not to plant a tree, and somewhere there is just the right tree for you...

Daylilies make a comeback
Daylilies are making a comeback in 2025 with even more shapes, twists, ruffles, pleats, picotees, curves, and stunning colours and colour combinations. There are singles and doubles, big and small flowers, each unique, and yes, they only last a day! They do, however, have another flower bud just behind that one, ready to show off the next day.

How to make a fat ball
Some birds love a fat ball in winter to boost their energy levels. These are easy to make and a fun project to do with the kids.

The Princess and Obsession
It only takes two wonderful modern hybrids of old garden favourites to prepare a garden and containers for an unforgettable spring performance.

Pink and pretty
Pink colour shifters with hot appeal...

GROW the WALL
If you want lots of flowers in plantable concrete retaining wall blocks or lush stems and foliage cascading over dry stone walls, we have good plant suggestions for you!

Winter indoor plant care
Winter can be a tough time for your houseplants; a drop in natural light, drier air, and cold drafts can all influence their lush appeal. As plant lovers, spending more time indoors in winter creates opportunities to keep a close eye on your leafy companions and make some changes to avoid these common winter blues.