Edible Plants: Borage

I bought Borage seeds a few years ago because it was an edible plant that could add color to a salad. The flowers are a bright electric blue and make a pretty garnish. The leaves are also edible. Both parts taste like cucumber.

What I didn't realize is that Borage is also used in companion planting. It is said to protect or nurse legumes, spinach, brassicas, and even strawberries. It is also said to be a good companion plant to tomatoes because it confuses the search image of the mother moths of tomato hornworms looking for a place to lay their eggs.

I haven't replanted Borage in a few seasons, but it continues to return to my garden each year in much the same pattern as what would be considered a weed... spreading by seed through wind, birds, the compost bin, etc. in the most unexpected places. It's not invasive, though, and so I let the random plants grow. The flowers are very beautiful, one of the few edible blue plants that exist. Folk lore says Borage is for courage.