Borage
Borage is a herb that originated in Syria but grows naturally all over the Mediterranean. My mother used the young leaves to decorate her Pimms No. 1 Cup which she always served on Sundays before lunch.
Nowadays borage is commercially grown to produce 'star flower' oil - indeed, the plant is also known by that name.
In my garden it grows wild and seeds like crazy just about everywhere. As you see in the smaller photo, the tiny blue flower changes colour so often you have pink and blue flowers on the same plant.
A lovely and useful herb, a friend give me some from her garden for my small herb garden. But I have not really taken advantage of its properties.
ReplyDeleteJoanny
I am very much interested in plants... Borage must be bourrache in French, but I need to check. I have "huile de bourrache" at home. Very good for your skin.
ReplyDeleteIt looks prickly to the touch and yet the way you've caught the plant in that top photo makes it appear sensuous and vulnerable.
ReplyDeleteWaht a lovely little flower! I'm intrigues by what on earth a Pimms No.1 Cup is!
ReplyDeleteV
superbe fleur je pense qu'elle est utilisé comme engrais
ReplyDeleteDe la bourrache officinale, ce sont essentiellement les feuilles et les fleurs qui sont consommées. Les feuilles crues et hachées accompagnent les salades, les crudités ou les sauces. Elles peuvent également se consommer cuites ou en beignets. Les fleurs agrémentent délicatement les salades.
Virginia, it's a gin-based (I think?) drink that you mix with lemonade and then decorate the glass with fruit and of course the borage - and tons of ice I seem to remember. Google Pimms - you'll soon find it.
ReplyDeleteThanks Bergson. I did see that it can be eaten and am pleased to read your comment. Might try it one day. I've enough of it in my garden!
Gin, lemonade, ice, sounds divine!
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