General description
This hardy annual grows to 30-75cm.
The flowers are sky blue (sometimes pink), five petaled stars with prominent black stamen tips nod downward in clusters at the tip of the stem. The leaf is dark grey green, oval pointed, textured, covered with prickly white hairs. Cucumber scented juice when crushed.
Plant requirements
Grow in an open sunny position in light well drained soil. Self seeds freely.
Maintenance
Summer prune to keep tidy. Low maintenance.
Practical use
Decorative and Culinary. Sprinkle flowers in salads and as a garnish. Crystallize for cake decorations. Young leaves can be chopped finely in salads, yogurt, soft cheese, pickles and sandwiches. Cook as spinach or with spinach. Add to ravioli stuffing. Borage has a high content of calcium, potassium and mineral salts.
Borage flowers attrack bees to gardens. Plant near strawberries as they stimulate eachothers growth.