Edible bouquets

This is the time of year not only to pick bouquets, but to pick edible bouquets! Little bundles of herbal joy, in full bloom and flavour.

The roses are lush and beautifully scented, with branches full of buds ready for high summer. Lavender and the last of the chive flowers add a regal purple contrast, with fiery bronze fennel softening the background. Yarrow punctuates with its collection of miniscule white blossoms, though its scent is less than pleasant (but it gives the compost heap such a wonderful boost!)

Mint and lemon balm offer fragrant green leaves to mask the yarrow.

Prolific mint sits beside the rose bush

Lemon balm, left, towers over the slim, fern-like fronds of yarrow, lower centre, with oregano on the right (and I believe some mint creeping over in front of it!)

This bouquet is entirely edible/usable/medicinal. I love making up bunches to give as little gifts to friends this time of year, with recipes or tips for how to use each herb in the bouquet.

Here is a tiny version. Barely 3 inches high, it makes a sweet little posy fit for a fairy feast:

Little Flower gave me her itty-bitty, hand-painted sugar pot from her tiny tea set for a vase

Purple and white violas, lilac thyme blossoms, and the very first chamomile blossom make up this teensy bouquet, with oregano leaves filling in at the back.

I will continue to select herbs to use throughout the summer. As the chive blossom dies away, the hyssop takes its turn, one branch already pink with new blooms:

The nasturtium will be in flower by the end of the week, ready for a new edible bouquet:

The bronze fennel grows high above the lavender, its fiery, feathery leaves blurring the view. I will use these for weeks to come.

Perhaps I’ll write regular edible bouquet posts, featuring the soft sage leaves, sweet cicely, marsh mallow and sweet woodruff that I have my eye on in the herb border. Then I may be obliged to show you how I use them all in my cooking...

Hmmm, I’m feeling peckish now, snack time! Enjoy the rest of your Sunday!

Chrissie x

P.S. I wrote a similar edible bouquet post last summer, you can read it here!