Borage Flowers On Ice

No, the title is not the name of a new show!

My borage seeds were sown into my new herb bed in the spring and are now healthy plants with lots of beautiful star shaped flowers.  Borage is a hardy annual and self seeds prolifically so I know I’ll never need borage seeds again.  I have so far not had any problems with blackfly on it this year. Previously it always attracted some hence its use as a companion plant to attract blackfly away from other plants.

The borage plants will last until the first frosts but may get some mildew before that in which case I will pull them up.  It’s best to avoid composting the flowers unless you want borage plants appearing wherever you use it the next year.  As previously mentioned, borage does make a great companion plant because the flowers are very attractive to bees which helps pollination especially when planted close to strawberries and runner beans. It is said to control tomato worm if planted near to tomatoes but I haven’t ever had this problem on the allotment so haven’t tested this.

There were plenty of flowers so I cut some for freezing in ice cube trays filled with water. Why, you mean person I hear you cry.  Well, I can’t resist their pretty looks in my summer drinks and it therefore makes me drink more water or juices instead of tea and coffee.  Oh maybe a few Pimms as well if I’m honest!  The flowers an also be added to salads or crystallized for decorating cakes.

It is easy to do as you can see and it is an edible flower but as a hayfever sufferer I err on the side of caution and don’t consume the flower whilst drinking.

During the summer you can also eat the young leaves in salads or mixed with yoghurt or cream cheese; they are a bit hairy but it won’t hurt you.

Has any one else used borage or the flowers for anything else or tried companion planting with it?