Wednesday, April 17, 2013

Blue


 Having a  hard time taking in recent happenings. There is so much pain and destruction.

Borage, or borago officianalis, is an annual herb that has many beneficial qualities. Its flowers are some of the best blues in the garden, a pure and sky-colored blue.

Both the leaves and flowers are edible, with a faint cucumber-like taste. The flowers make attractive garnishes for salads.

As a traditional medicine, borage is good for treating gastrointestinal maladies, and as a tea or infusion, it helps regulate hormonal inbalances, and relieves the symptoms of menopause, including hot flashes.

As a companion plant in the garden, borage is often planted with tomatoes, because its flowers and fuzzy foliage confuse some tomato predators like hornworms.

Borage flowers are often used to garnish that traditional Britsh cocktail, the Pimms cup. Say...when is cocktail time, anyway?

3 comments:

cactus petunia said...

Beautiful! I'd say cocktail time is anytime you have a martini glass in your hand.

smalltownme said...

I could have used some borage for the past few years.

Blue here too. I just don't understand.

Karen (formerly kcinnova) said...

Perfect photo for the post. I have been at such a loss for words.