There are a lot of great functional flowers that are easy to care for and that can be enjoyed every year. Some of them really offer a variety of special functions that can make them great tools in the garden as well.
Canna lilies – Canna lilies are large beautiful flowers that do best in warmer climates. But not only are they beautiful, they are also great filters. They help clean water and keep your earth clean. Their thick roots help organisms thrive that keep your earth healthy and unpolluted. If you live in a colder climate, you can always dig up your tubers every year before the first frost and replant them. These plants are most useful around wetlands and marshes, but if you have amoist area in your yard, these are also great to have around.
Roses – Roses are easy to care for, and while the bushes themselves may not provide much function to your garden, they offer a wide variety of parts you can use. Rose petals are edible. They look and taste great on a salad. Rose water can be made from blossoms, and it tastes great in cocktails. You can also use rose hips to make tea or jam.
Jasmine – While the flower itself smells beautiful, you can also enjoy jasmine in all sorts of things. You can enjoy jasmine syrup in your food or tea. You can always add some jasmine blossoms to your bath.
Echinacea – Often claimed to help boost your immune system, echinacea offers beautiful flowers that thrive in many gardens. If you are feeling brave, when the flowers have died for the season, dig up some of the tubers. You can then wash and grind them down and mix with strong alcohol. Let the mixture sit for two months, and then use by putting a few tiny drops in a glass of water, or directly on your tongue. The taste is pretty awful, but it is cheaper than buying the stuff in the store. If you take it regularly, it is believed to help combat colds.
