Borage

Name:
Borage
Borago officinalis

How many plants for average family:
plant en masse

Source: http://www.freenaturepictures.com/pictures/spiky-blue-flower.html

Type of plant:
Flowering annual.

Best Varieties:
Borage flowers can come in shades of white, and pink, but the popular variety is ablue star shaped flower.

Sowing:
Borage is easily propagated by seed in punnets and then transplanted into the garden.

Growing Habit:
Borage is a low to medium border plant to about 30 to 40 cm (12 to 15 inches). The down-ward facing flowers sit high above the plant on longstems producing clusters of flowers.

Growing Conditions:
Borage prefers moist, rich and well drained soil. So add plenty of compost and manure to soil and mulch well around plants.

Companions:
Broccoli, cauliflower, cabbage, Brussels sprouts, cucumber, squash, strawberry, tomato, tansy.

Problems:
Generally problem free.

Uses:
The attractive star shaped blue flowers of borage are great for salad decorations and are edible with a cucumber flavour.

Leaves can also be used in a salad but can be a little bit prickly on older leaves.

Borage flowers are great for attracting bees and butterflies so the plant goes well near vegetable and fruit garden to ensure good pollination. It is a great companion for planting with strawberries.