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Borage
The Borage, 'Borage officinalis', is like a handful of little stars plucked from a deep blue sky and sprinkled on a summer salad that may drive away all melancholy and it is nutricious, tastefully useful herb! Borage is a large plant. The flowers are usually blue, but may be pink or lavender. The Borage is an excellent bee plant and the leaves contain copious amounts of vitamins and minerals, especially calcium, potassium, and vitamin C. Borage leaves can be steamed as you would spinach or chard or used raw in salads, iced beverages, or in salad dressings. The stems can also be peeled and chopped and used like celery. The edible flowers can be used as garnish on green or fruit salads or candied for winter use. This is a very easy to grow ornamental plant for beginning gardeners. Plant in the spring after all danger of frost has past and in mild climates, plant anytime. Borage prefers well drained rich soil. ... get more information
Clary Sage The Clary Sage, 'Salvia sclarca', is a truly spectacular plant with fountains of 3' tall flower stems. In addition to its numerous panicles of flowers, the entire plant releases a pleasant garden fragrance. The flowers are pale lilac, 1 inch long tubular blooms, with very prominent rose-red bracts on 2 to 3 foot tall square stems. Clary Sages prefer full sun and average garden soil. The soil must be well drained and not overly fertile. Plant this easy-to-grow plant in the spring after the last average frost date. Clary Sage is used for tea, and the fresh or dried leaves are used the same way as sage. The leaves are also used to make sachets and potpourri. |
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