Borago pygmaea

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.

Pygmy borage, Borago pygmaea, is a low-growing, perennial variety, bearing attractive, small blue flowers from June to October. It's very hardy, and grows well in 'problem' areas such as dry shady spots. Like its cousin Borago officinalis, pygmy borage flowers may be frozen in ice cubes and added to jugs of Pimms.