Peony Petals & Lavender Buds: You Can Eat This Stuff?!

Did you know that gorgeous garden peonies aren't just pretty faces? These ancient blooms can transform from eye candy to plate candy!

Until a few years ago, I had no idea that peonies were edible. For years, I knew about making tea from lavender buds and creating dried herb mixes or luxurious "tub teas" for soaking, but peony petals—not to mention their roots and seeds—remained a culinary mystery to me.

Ancient Beauties with Hidden Talents

Peonies have been gracing gardens for thousands of years. First appearing in Chinese flower gardens around 1000 BC, by the 8th century, Japan had become the world's leading producer of these stunning blooms (a title they still hold today). Their popularity has since spread worldwide, with varieties now available in almost every color imaginable—truly striking flowers that captivate both humans and insects alike.

My Peony Journey

When we moved into our current home in late August 2018, peony season had long passed, leaving me clueless about what botanical treasures awaited. The front yard area, where I could make out 4 or 5 peony plants among the weeds and garden debris, needed serious attention, which I managed to provide before winter arrived.

The next year, while juggling interior renovations, work, and family life stuff, I could only offer a quick weeding to the neglected front yard plants—and unsurprisingly, the peonies refused to bloom. But the following year, I was determined to change that. I "babied" that area with dedicated weeding, regular watering, and plenty of compost.

And wow, was I rewarded! The peonies showed up brilliantly that year and every since have returned with equal splendor.

From Garden to Kitchen (and Bath)

The dark peony flowers came from a wise, long-living gardening friend—our neighborhood's expert on flowers and vegetables, who fortunately lives just three doors down. We enjoyed their fresh scent for days, and when the petals began to fall, I dried them for future use.

As for my own peonies, I've been using them fresh, but I'm also drying some. They make a perfect addition to a jar of Epsom salts, adding a beautiful touch to your bath ritual while delivering the flowers' gentle benefits.

Whether you're adding them to salads, desserts, drinks (see the recipe that follows), or bath mixtures, these gorgeous blooms offer so much more than just beauty. Who knew that something so lovely could also be so versatile in the kitchen and bathroom?

Peony Lavender Fizzy

Your Flower Story

Our relationship with flowers often extends beyond their beauty in a garden or vase. My story includes years of admiring peonies purely for their visual appeal, not knowing their potential in my kitchen and wellness routines. It includes the satisfaction of nurturing neglected plants back to vibrant life and discovering new ways to incorporate nature's bounty into my daily rituals.

What's your flower story? Have you experimented with edible flowers in your cooking? Do you have childhood memories of garden flowers that you now see in a new light? Have you discovered unexpected uses for the plants growing in your own backyard?

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