

Native to Mediterranean climates, borage has since Homer's day been a prized medicinal and culinary herb; as a companion plant in an edible garden, it will ward off pests.
Borage comes by its nickname—starflower—honestly, with bright blue or white starbursts when it blooms. It will thrive in sunny spots with well-drained soil and if bees had to pick a favorite flower, this annual herb would win; its nectar proves irresistible to pollinators.
Don’t be misled by the fact that Borago officinalis is a true annual, which means its life cycle unfolds over the course of a single year. (An annual plant germinates, grows, flowers, and dies in the course of a growing season.) You can count on borage to self-sow in the garden; it will pop up next year in unexpected but delightful clumps. Borage is also delicious in salads, its leaves adding a flavor reminiscent of cucumber (borage flowers are sweet like honey—try them). Tip: Watch out for its hairy leaves, which can be prickly; wear gloves when you’re cutting back or pulling borage plants from the garden.