Borage

Borage (Borago officinalis).—A native hardy plant, which thrives in poor, stony soil. The flowers are used for flavoring purposes, especially for claret-cup. Borage is also a great favorite with bee-masters. Sow in April or May in good loam, and thin to fifteen or eighteen inches apart. The rows should be from eighteen to twenty-four inches asunder, for the plant is tall, and strong in growth.

Description
Borage is a decorative annual with coarse, hairy leaves and stems and beautiful sky-blue flowers in a star shape. The plant grows about 2 to 3 feet tall.

Culture
Borage is easily grown from seed and will sow itself. This plant does best in dry, sunny places. Although it is difficult to transplant, you can stretch out the harvest by sowing three times at 4-week intervals.

Harvesting
Pick blossoms as they open. Use leaves fresh anytime; they are seldom dried.

Use
Sprays of borage flowers and leaves are used to give a cool, cucumber-like flavor to summer drinks. Bees are attracted to the borage plant.

"Adapted from publication NE-208, produced by the Cooperative Extension Services of the Northeast States."