In recent years, more and more wild or climbing plants have been used in domestic kitchens, the flowers of which are served in salads. Because a large number of these plants are edible and not poisonous at all, as is the black-eyed Susan. For this very reason, it is also the ideal decorative flowering plant for families with small children or free-ranging pets. Because Thunbergia alata is completely harmless and impresses with its beauty on the dining table not only in a bouquet but also as a salad and in the home garden.
Suitable for families
Especially for families with small children playing in the garden, the black-eyed Susanne is the perfect plant to beautify the garden beds, balcony or terrace. Because for people and especially for the smallest or crawling children, the decorative climbing plant does not pose any danger, since it has not even a hint of toxicity in any part, neither in leaves, stems or flowers.
So it is completely harmless for small or older children if they use the flowers or leaves to play. The little ones can use the leaves, stalks and flowers in a sand cake and even put them in their mouths without harming their health.
Harmless to animals
The decorative plant is very popular in the local latitudes because it develops beautiful flowers. In addition, an opaque flower hedge can be grown from the Thunbergia alata. Since neither the leaves nor the flowers are poisonous and do not contain any substances in this regard, the climbing plant is particularly suitable in a garden where rabbits, dogs or cats are staying.
Because it does not pose any danger to humans or animals, the leaves cannot harm rodents such as rabbits or hamsters if they nibble on them. And if you have attached cat nets to the balcony, you can also use the black-eyed Susanne to green these nets. The following locations of the decorative climbing plant are particularly suitable for pet owners.
location
- in the unfenced garden bed
- as a privacy hedge on a fence
- as a cat net greening
- as a decorative plant on the terrace or balcony
- as shade for children next to a sandbox
Edible flowers
The beautiful decorative flowers of the Thunbergia alata are not just for the eyes. Although they are only about four centimeters tall, they impress with their yellow, orange or white color. The special feature is the black center, to which the flower owes its name. In addition, there is a spicy aroma that makes it more and more popular in the local kitchen. And some pets also like the slightly cressy aroma. So the edible flowers can be used in the kitchen as follows.
use
Use flowers for:
- flower salads
- as a decoration for green or fruit salads
- wild herb salads
- on the bread as a topping
- as decoration for cocktails
The edible flowers are not only beautiful to look at on the climbing plant in the garden, they also make a great splash of color on the plate. Since they are not poisonous and can be eaten raw, they can decorate various dishes and drinks and can also be consumed without hesitation.
Fertilize
If the black-eyed Susanne is not only to be used as a decorative climbing plant in the garden bed, on the balcony or terrace, but the flowers are also to be used in the kitchen, then the fertilization must be different. Because the human body also absorbs the various fertilizers through the plant when it is eaten.
Especially if the flowers are often used to refine the food, you should pay attention to this. In addition, the delicious and special aroma can change if the plant is treated with the wrong fertilizer. Therefore, it should be fertilized as follows if it is known from the start that the flowers are to be used in the kitchen.
Fertilize properly
How to do it:
- organic fertilizer is recommended
- therefore fertilize mainly with compost
- chemical fertilizer has corresponding ingredients
- these can also change the taste
- with frequent consumption, chemical fertilizers can harm the body
However, it is harmless if Thunbergia alata is only to be used as an ornamental plant in the garden. Even if small children or pets come to the plants and snack on them from time to time, it is not necessary to change the fertilizer doses. Because in this way the human body hardly absorbs any of the fertilizer given if only the leaves or flowers are played with or they are lightly nibbled.