Meet Borage: The Cucumber-Flavored Blue Star of the Garden
If your garden is missing a touch of vibrant indigo and a delightful surprise ingredient for your summer drinks, it’s time to get acquainted with Borage (Borago officinalis).
Often overlooked in favor of flashier annuals, this enchanting herb is a true workhorse, offering beauty, flavor, and ecological benefit all season long.
The Starry Blue Delight
Borage is instantly recognizable by its characteristic, deeply saturated blue, star-shaped flowers that dangle facing the ground. These beautiful blooms stand in striking contrast to the plant’s fuzzy, grey-green leaves.
While the plant itself looks a little wild and shaggy, its impact is undeniable—it’s a magnet for pollinators, especially honeybees, making it an essential addition to any sustainable or kitchen garden.
But Borage’s appeal goes far beyond aesthetics.
A Cucumber in Bloom
The most unique feature of Borage is its flavor. Both the young leaves and the brilliant blue flowers possess a distinct, fresh taste reminiscent of cucumber.
How to use it:
Culinary Garnish: The flowers are entirely edible and make a stunning garnish for salads, seafood, or desserts.
Summer Drinks: Freeze the flowers into ice cubes for an elegant addition to lemonade, gin and tonics, or iced tea.
Traditional Use: Historically, the leaves were used in traditional European cooling drinks, and they remain a staple in classic Pimm’s Cup cocktails.
Growing Borage is Easy
Borage is perhaps the definition of an enthusiastic plant. It’s an annual that prefers full sun but tolerates light shade, thriving in well-drained soil.
It requires minimal fuss and tends to self-seed freely, often returning year after year without effort. Simply sow the seeds directly into the garden bed after the last frost.
Whether you are looking to boost your local bee population, add an unforgettable splash of color, or elevate your cocktail game, Borage is the low-maintenance herb ready to transform your garden space.
Give this starry blue flower a chance—you won't be disappointed.