This is a slightly more difficult beginner’s forage as not all of the plant is edible, so you have to know which parts to take.

Common names: Honeysuckle, woodbine

Latin: Lonicera periclymenum

The honeysuckle flower has a delicious smell that lures you in, and fortunately, it tastes as good as it smells!

Honeysuckle is a fragrant wildflower that has a distinct honey-sweet taste. It can be found easily in the summer months growing wild, usually in wooded areas, and is often planted in gardens and parks due to its appealing fragrance.

The most common form that the plant grows in is a climbing bush. It has distinctive trumpet-shaped flowers which are the bits to forage. A small amount goes a long way with honeysuckle so be careful not to take too much – it is a common pollinator plant and a favourite for bees. 

Only pick the opened trumpet blooms, remove any stems and the calyx (the tiny middle green part). The flowers can be used to infuse water, jams, syrups and vinaigrette.
They occasionally fruit berries in summer but do not eat the berries! They can be toxic. There are over 180 variants of honeysuckle and some are completely safe to eat, but for beginners stick to the nectar which is always safe.

Common names: Stinging nettle, burn nettle

Latin: Urtica dioica

There are endless ways to use foraged nettles in recipes. The entire plant is safe for consumption, making it a great option for first-time foragers. It is also available to forage most months of the year in the UK. 

Nettles usually grow in large clusters, and can be found anywhere from hedgerows to forests and even urban parks. They are long green plants with jagged leaves and little white flowers when in bloom. They have a delicious earthy taste that pairs well with lots of flavours.

Whilst nettles are safe to eat, as most will know there is a catch. The common nickname “stinging nettle” comes from the tiny stingers on its leaves that will leave you with a painful but mild rash and sting. This could be one way of verifying a nettle! Doc leaves are commonly cited as an antidote to the nettle sting.

To collect nettles you must use gloves and be careful not to touch the leaves until they have been cooked down and the sting neutralised. After the sting is gone, the opportunities for cooking with nettles are endless. Tea, pesto, crisps, soup – you name it, the nettle can do it!

It can be found as early as February right through to late autumn.

Common names: Elderflower, boortree, boontree, borewood

Latin: Sambucus nigra

Foraging for elderflower requires a little extra care due to a toxic lookalike. 

You may need to start by looking up. The plant can grow as a hedge, bush or a tree (most common). When in bloom, it can be identified by a distinctively sweet scent and the little creamy white clumps of flower buds – elderflowers. 

The elder tree will bloom in late spring/early summer, usually beginning in late May, and the flowers will give way to elderberries in late summer. These are also edible, but should only be consumed if you are confident in your berry foraging. When foraging for elderflower, the clumps of tiny white and cream flowers are the only part that need to be picked. You can cut them off the tree with a pair of scissors or secateurs. 

Once you’ve found what you think is an elder tree, take a look at the buds. If the tiny flowers have five petals and a fragrant scent, you are in luck!

The flowers can be infused to make syrups and jams, and are a great addition to salads. They have a sweet taste so are often used for baking. The flowers could also be used for a garnish.

There are a few things that could be mistaken for elderflowers. Follow the advice below carefully to avoid picking the wrong plant. 

Common names: Dandelion, lions-tooth, blowball, cankerwort, piss-a-bed, cankerwort, Irish daisy

Latin: Taraxacum

Dandelions are a common sight in UK parks and gardens. They have a distinctive look with long jagged green leaves, long stems and a bright yellow flower. They are often seen as weeds and grow in abundance. 

The plants are a favourite amongst children as when the plant pollinates the yellow flower turns into a ball of seeds that children can blow to make a wish with. 

This plant is commonly foraged as it is completely safe and rarely mistaken with other flowers. The leaves are the best to use in place of other salad items, but the entire plant can be used. The flowers are often made into syrup for Dandelion and Burdock flavoured drinks – a UK staple. 

The best time of year to forage Dandelions is spring and summer when they are blooming. Early in the morning when the bud is fully open is the best time of day if the flower is needed and will provide a sweeter flavour.