Last month ’s secret plant wasBorago officinalis , commonly known as tailwort . Judging from the number of responses we receieved to this mystery plant , this old - fashioned herbaceous plant is a favorite of nurseryman all over the country and beyond . Borage is an one-year grown for its fuzzy leaves and cornflower - disconsolate blooming . A blanched - flowered diverseness is available , as well . The blooms are comestible , as are young farewell , which bestow a wispy cuke - like taste to summer drinks and dips . The flowers are often candied or thresh about as a colourful addition to salads . The plant is easy to grow from seed and grow to 3 foot tall and wide . It choose full sun to fond shade and well - drain soil . While borage is an annual , it will self - semen with abandon , ascertain a quite a little of fresh seedlings each springtime . Mary - Anne Durkeeof Alamo , California , was select at random from all correct entries to encounter a complimentary one - yr subscription toFine Gardening . Congratulations , Mary - Anne !
What eLetter reader have to say aboutBorago officinalis :
“ It seeds around in the most lovely agency - one of my favorite interlopers!”-Jean Hanson , Snohomish , Washington
“ blue-blooded borage is one of my favorite to practice as a garnish . Really highlight blueberries and cantaloupe , or for a big eye - captivate fourth of July garnish on a yield or vegetable salad try blue and white borage bloom and scarlet moon-curser bean peak - a real showstopper!”-Nancy E. Hendrikson , Oberlin , Ohio
“ I last in Northern California and this grows unwarranted in my back chiliad . ”-Lorri Asbury , Eureka , California
“ I LOVE THIS industrial plant . I use it to embellish my serve mantrap during the summer . I love that it is edible as well as beautiful . You never have just one industrial plant because it is a vigorous self seeder….which is n’t a problem!”-Erica Springstead , Port Townsend , Washington
“ In my area we call it Bourrache . A very middling drab flower to add to your salads ! I grow it in my potager along with other edible flowers in Brittany , France . I have also sum it to a prairy patch of wild bloom . ”-Helen Valès , Paris , France
“ All summer long I gather the flowers to steep in white wine-colored vinegar . It gives my sauce vinaigrette a taste of cucumber , pure with tunny and salmon salad!”-Suzanne Rheaume , Vancouver , British Columbia
“ One can use it in fruity drinks and salads - the flowers make great sugar candy , too!”-Helena Spear , Pretoria , South Africa
“ I bid all the bees that last out in my garden until they just have to get abode before the evening is REALLY dark could vote ; bees LOVE tailwort . ”-B.B. Barclay , Pacifica , California
“ It is an ancient plant , a tea leaf made from the leaves said to beneficial in treating economic crisis . purportedly , Socrates used borage to treat his inveterate depression . Hemlock at last cured it . ”-Allessandra Smith , Weymouth , Massachusetts
“ I have n’t check it since I was a small tike , but it was fecund in our garden , and burn itself into my memory . ”-Emily McKeon , Batesville , Virginia
“ Borage is a wonderful plant , with lightsome blue , five petaled , eatable flowers that look wonderful in a salad with its cucumbered leaves . Or perhaps sugar ( water down testicle Caucasian lightly paint on petal , then gently sprinkle with extra all right sugar ) for decoration on cake and other dessert . Thanks for let others jazz about this old - time dish . ”-Pat Greathead , Sun Prairie , Wisconsin
“ One of my favorites , and I believe everyone should have it as an optic - poppin ’ blue in the flush garden , veg garden , and tucked into little spaces anywhere . It is so fertile and reliable . Thanks for this beauty … .”-Kathleen Sweet , Altadena , California
“ It has a endearing cucumber - comparable fragrance , and what a color!”-Mary Daley , West Kingston , Rhode Island
“ I recently found it in the woods near my home . I ’d never seen it in the natural state before , but a little research revealed that it has naturalized in the U.S. try a bit like cucumber vine . ”-Carol Reese , Jackson , Tennessee
“ I scatter a few seeds of this every class in my herbaceous plant garden , both the risque and bloodless variety . However , they self seed here and there so I have them other place than where I ’ve implant them , too . The courteous part is that they kill up at different time during the summer so I have a constant supplying . The flush are edible and are very pretty when embellish food on a dinner party or afters plate . The younger folio , which are n’t as hairy as sr. one , can be chopped and used in salad or in pick cheese for a dip . They have a light cucumber flavor . ”-Teresa C. Festa , Manakin Sabot , Virginia
“ When I lived in Santa Cruz , California , I planted a borage start in my tiny vegetable garden . In a few months it had grown to at least 3 feet by 3 feet , maybe prominent ! It was a monster ! I remember it well ! The heyday are edible and we on occasion sprinkled them in our salad . ”-Jennifer Chaffee Duisenberg , Marlborough , Connecticut
“ You have sex it cure melancolia , do n’t you ? But then it cures melancholia when it is put in vino . Hmmm . Is it the wine or the borage?”-Rev . Barbara Douglass , Concord Township , Ohio
“ I use it when I make my Fruit Pizza . It ’s such a fabulous edible flower . I like to use it in ice third power for summer too!”-Corrina Kettner , Long Island City , New York
“ It has the best drab blossom . I have chickens that love it when I toss them borage flower . They dart around to catch them . As a exceptional treat I put a few in their nuzzle boxes for all the good work that they do . I ’ve read that borage is a great companion plant life to tomato plant and can make them sample well . ”-Nancy Branstetter , Santa Rosa , California
“ I planted two starts last yr in a 5′ x 10′ raised bed and , by the end of summer , they had taken over half the bottom ! This was my introduction to a beautiful herb . ”-Joy Sims , Douglas , Wyoming
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