Borage, borago officinalis, is another unusual herb that I have grown in the past.
It has succulent leaves covered in a profusion of small stiff hairs.
Its edible flowers grow up to be a pretty true blue,
and as a bonus, they are shaped like little 5-pointed stars,
which explains why borage is sometimes called starflower.
This photo of the borage flowers is from the blog
"backyard Diva." I love her slogan: you can't grow wrong
Best of all, the leaves of borage taste and smell like cucumber.
Both the borage flowers and leaves can be used to infuse water
for a crisp & refreshing, if faint, cucumber taste.
I've fixed it before, and it is a delicious summer drink.
This next photo is of a borage field at Bannisters Farm
"on the Yorkshire Wolds" in the UK.
Isn't this beautiful with its different shades of blue?
Visit their web site here for more info:
Many of the old herbals prescribe borage for dispelling sadness.
It's not a very pretty plant in the garden because it's gangly,
but its flowers en masse or up close
are guaranteed to lift the spirits.
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