Borago officinalis

To ancient Greeks and Romans borage, Borago officinalis, was a potent medicinal herb guaranteeing courage in battle. Now, though, these casually sprawling plants are more grown for their ornamental and culinary value. Their open blue flowers add colour and flavour to summer drinks, while the young leaves are sometimes included in salads.

Borage flowers are particularly attractive to bees – after a bee has visited a flower it refills with nectar within two minutes, making borage a great pollinator-friendly plant for a small garden.

Grow Borago officinalis in moist but well-drained soil in full sun. Allow plants to self-seed before cutting down.