Borago officinalis. 70 days. Open-pollinated.
 
Borage is an easy, fast growing annual herb native to the Mediterranean region where it has historically been used in traditional medicine.

In the first century, Dioscorides said borage could “comfort the heart and purge melancholy”, and, interestingly, much modern research has been done on the anti-depressant and anti-anxiety qualities of borage seed oil.

Plants grow to between 2 and 3 feet tall and produce a galaxy of sparkling, star-shaped blue and pink flowers with a lovely, delicate fragrance.

Flowers produce nectar that is sweet and said to taste of honey and cucumber. Honeybees can't stay away from them and use the nectar to produce a light and delicate honey.

Humans are also keen on the nectar, and it is commonly used to garnish dips, salads, and summer drinks, or is candied with sugar for later use.

Leaves and stems are also edible and quite delicious, so be sure to toss them in a fresh salad or steam them for a spinach or chard-like dish!

Borage is also used in companion planting and is used to protect legumes, spinach, brassicas, and even strawberries. For tomatoes, it confuses the mother moths of tomato hornworms or manduca looking for a place to lay their eggs.