Cooking with herbs and learning how to candy edible flowers are two demonstrations being offered at The Rites of Spring, an annual event sponsored by The Union Memorial Hospital to benefit outpatient physical therapy. The event, which is in its fifth year, will be held at the State Fair Grounds at Timonium on April 12, 13 and 14. Admission is $4. Senior citizens are admitted for $3.

A gala preview party, including cocktails and appetizers, will be held the evening of April 11. Tickets are $75 each.

For more information about the event or the gala preview party tickets call 554-2662.

This year's Rite of Spring will include seven beautiful display gardens and over 40 national and local boutiques offering plants, perennials, bulbs and a variety of unusual items for the garden, outdoor entertaining and home decorating.

On Saturday, Apr. 13, Jill Ann Wilson will show participants how to use edible flowers in meal perparation. Edible flowers include roses, pansies and marigolds. One of Wilson's favorite breakfast recipes, for example, calls for sliced bananas in orange juice topped with candied woodland violets.