Borago officinalis

Borage is an annual plant from the Boraginaceae family. A rich source of nectar and native to Mediterranean countries, this medicinal plant offers beautiful star-shaped blue flowers. Easy to cultivate, it is planted in spring. The flowers and leaves are harvested as needed, from May to August.

Borage is an annual herbaceous plant that will reach a height of 60 cm (24in). You can grow it in the vegetable garden as well as in the garden. Placed on the edge of the vegetable garden, it contributes to better pollination in your garden by attracting bees. Planted next to lettuces, it repels slugs.

It appreciates deep, light and damp soils, as well as limestone soils. It does not need fertilisers. Plant it preferably in sunny locations. Flowers appear from May to June or even from March in Mediterranean climates.

Harvesting flowers: Cut the flowers when they are fully open with scissors or, even better, by hand by pinching the flower. Pick them as needed. The flowers have an oyster taste. They decorate dishes and can be used for their flavour in omelettes and salads.

Harvesting leaves: The harvesting of young leaves should be done before the appearance of flowers as they are more tender. The fresh leaves give off a slight cucumber smell and can be eaten in salads. More mature leaves can be cooked like spinach.

Preserving flowers: if it is the medicinal qualities of borage that you are looking for, then let it dry to preserve it. To do this, spread the flowers on a rack or tray in a dry, ventilated place, away from light or the flowers will easily turn brown.

The gardener's tip: plant borage as a green manure! Its roots will loosen the soil and its leaves are rich in potassium nitrate. Borage can be buried after 2 months of growth to enrich the soil.