Grow Your Own Magazine

Borage would be good - what do you use it for, or is it just decorative??

Its not just decorative, borage...the bees love it. I'm planting it up the lane on our allotment site

sorry chaps, borage has several uses:
http://www.gardenguides.com/plants/i...rbs/borage.asp

Culinary Uses
Borage flowers and leaves are the traditional decoration for gin-based summer cocktails, and may be set in ice cubes to garnish other drinks.
The flowers and young leaves may be used to garnish salads. dips, and cucumber soups.
Candied borage flowers make attractive cake decorations.
Chopped leaves can be added to soups and stews during the last few minutes of cooking.
The leaves can be cooked with cabbage leaves (two parts cabbage, one part borage.)
Borage does not dry well for culinary use.

Medicinal Use
Because it is a tonic plant for the adrenal glands, borage provides an invaluable support for a stressful lifestyle.
Borage is rich in minerals, especially potassium.
A tea made with borage helps to reduce fevers and ease chest colds.
An infusion of borage acts as a galactogogue, promoting the production of milk in breastfeeding mothers.

Other Uses
Borage makes an excellent facial steam for improving very dry, sensitive skin.
The flowers may be dried to add color to potpourri.

__________________
Regards, Jane
What sane person could live in this world and not be crazy? The creative adult is the child who has survived.
Ursula LeGuin
http://www.etribes.com/madderbat

hi Madderbat. Do you just grow Borage from seed?? Is it perennial?

Hi Jenny Bain,
Yes, you can grow it from seeds. T&M and Suttons have them and you should find them on sale about now. Had to check though, because it's like a pernicious weed round here, and the plants self-seed all over once it gets going. We have loads on the lottie, but I'm following PWs thread about sending cuttings/seedlings in the post - not convinced it would work. Probably safest to go for the seeds. And yes, it is perenniel.

__________________
Regards, Jane
What sane person could live in this world and not be crazy? The creative adult is the child who has survived.
Ursula LeGuin
http://www.etribes.com/madderbat