Borago Officinalis
Borage, Star Flower

Hardy annual. Height and spread 60cm (24in). Loose racemes of blue star-shaped flowers with black stamens in early summer until the first frosts. The mid-green leaves are bristly, oval, or oblong in shape, and succulent.

Flower is blue or white and star-shaped with black stamens that look like a bird's beak.

Leaf is covered in tiny bristly hairs which dissolve when eaten.

Stem is hollow and covered in fine prickles.

Borage is the perfect example of a herb that has a wealth of uses in the garden, the kitchen and the home.

This very pretty flowering herb originated in the Mediterranean, where it can be found growing on wasteland. It has now spread and naturalised in North America and Northern Europe. Historically it was given to young Roman soldiers for courage and comfort, and borage flowers were given to the Crusaders - floated in stirrup cups - for the same reason. It has several culinary and medicinal purposes.