There ’s hardly a reason not to grow borage . It ’s sluttish to grow , pest insubordinate , ego - seeding but non - invasive . It ’s a pollinator hub , an ornamental , an edible , and a medicinal . It can take a summer lemonade from intermediate to gourmet in second . Add Borago officinalis to your garden this year and impress the neighborhood .
Borage Flower Botany
Borage is an annual herbaceous plant that originated in Syria . It has naturalize throughout North America , the Mediterranean , and Europe . regard a weed by some and a beautiful ornamental by others , it is at least a virtual add-on to the garden .
It grows to an close together stature of 18 - 36 inches and can flop over as the efflorescence mind become fleshy . A full sun location and veritable deadheading will help keep a plant upright . Flowers bloom from late springtime through the summertime . They are harvested while in full flush before the copper - like hairs take on a prickly tactile property .
Borage Flower in the Garden
Those prickly pilus are also a reason that Borago officinalis is so hardy in the garden . No plague dare to get close to those spine . If some of the prime are left to go to seminal fluid , it will pronto reseed itself and kill up again next yr . It is well-fixed to pull out and will not become trespassing .
Often called ‘ starflower ’ for its ’ bright periwinkle profane champion - shaped efflorescence , Borago officinalis is a top pollinator attractant . Bees of all kinds pile to borage flowers , which make it an excellent comrade to sure veg in the garden , namely strawberries and Lycopersicon esculentum . Borage honey has a distinguishable earthy smell and contain many of the plant ’s medicinal benefits .
Borage Flower in the Kitchen
All parts of the borage plant are edible . Historically the bloom have been add to wines and look to keep sadness forth . They can be immobilize into decorative and herbal internal-combustion engine third power and then later added to potable .
Borage is made into conserves and added to sauces . It is a cardinal ingredient in Frankfurt , Germany ’s classic green sauce serve cold often over orchis . The farewell and flowers make tasty additions to salad . The flowers are both ornamental and have a pleasant cuke nip .
Borage Flower in the Medicine Cabinet
Herbalists see borage to be :
Borage has been credited as a medicinal herbaceous plant since ancient Greece , Pliny the Elder claimed that it helps depression and creates fun . Today it is most well - known for contain robust omega-6 oils . It is grown commercially as a source of gamma - linolenic acid which is used to help alleviate symptom of arthritis and exchangeable circumstance .
