Tasty Buds

A beautiful salad, entree or dessert becomes even more appealing when garnished with edible flowers. Dried organic whole-petal flowers are available by mail from Lois K. Cosenza at Fiesta Farms in Fallbrook. They’re great to keep handy for instant garnishes. Sprinkle them on top of ice cream or sherbets, float them in iced drinks or freeze them in ice cubes for that added touch. Choose from pansies (mixed colors), calendula (yellow and orange), society garlic flowers (purple with strong garlic flavor) and lavender buds. The flowers also come in pansy and calendula mix, and calendula, safflower and garlic flower mix.

Dried flowers, 2-ounce jar, $4; 4-ounce jar, $7.50; and 8-ounce jar, $11 plus shipping and handling from Fiesta Farms, Fallbrook. Phone/fax (760) 451-0912.

Washable Elegance

Want to use elegant linens outside but don’t want the stains? These classic Provencal tablecloths are perfect; you can hardly guess they’re laminated. They’re easy to wipe with a damp cloth or throw into the machine to wash, and they come in an array of patterns. Some have matching cloth place mats and napkins.

72-inch round tablecloth, $120; 90-inch round tablecloth, $130; 56-by-89-inch rectangle tablecloth, $140. At Mise En Place, Los Feliz, and Room With a View, Santa Monica.