Purple Flowering Vegetables
Vegetables, often associated with the colors green or yellow, can also produce striking purple flowers throughout your garden. There are several edible and ornamental vegetables that feature bright purple blooms, each of which provide both visual beauty as well as additional edible produce.
Eggplant
Eggplant (Solanum melongena) is an easily recognizable vegetable that displays its flowers in shades of creamy white and pale lavender. Its shiny, purple-blackish fruits are edible and can range in size from small, marble-sized to large, egg-shaped. The flavor and texture of the fruits can vary depending on the variety but all fruits should be consumed when they are young, tender, and glossy.
Field Peas
While field peas (Vigna unguiculata) are not the most attractive of plants, their vibrantly colored flowers more than make up for it. The blooms of this easy-to-grow vegetable are typically of the brighter shades of purple and can be enjoyed from late spring to early summer. Field peas are also a wild edible, and the tender young pods, when cooked, have a sweetish nutty flavor.
Okra
Okra (Abelmoschus esculentus), also known as gumbo or lady’s fingers, produces non-edible purple flowers throughout the warmer months of the growing season. These bright purple blooms will attract bees throughout the garden, and will then be followed by long, edible pods that can be cooked or used in salads.
Purple Broccoli
Finally, there is the eye-catching purple broccoli (Brassica oleracea), which stands out in the garden with its comparatively bright and striking flower heads in shades of royal purple and violet. The heads, as well as their leaves, can be cooked and eaten and are known to contain more anti-oxidants than other broccoli varieties.
In conclusion, there are many vegetables that produce beautiful purple flowers that will add a splash of color to your garden. From the eggplant to purple broccoli, each of these vegetables bring unique flavors as well as additional beauty to your garden.
Edible Purple Flowering Vegetables
- Eggplant (Solanum melongena)
- Field peas (Vigna unguiculata)
- Okra (Abelmoschus esculentus)
- Purple Broccoli (Brassica oleracea)
