Tuesday, June 26, 2007

Borage blue

Have you ever grown borage? Is there a prettier shade of blue? Well, I don't think so, or at least this is another to add to a very small assemblage of true blue flowers. I've been seeding these for the last few years after seeing them at the local botanical garden, and finally this year I have some flowers! The bees adore this plant and the flowers are edible; all parts of the plant are, in fact, but I don't have the heart to taste test it just yet. It's just too pretty!

16 comments:

KGMom said...

Well, I have not heard of borage--a new flower for me to look for.
But the blue--it's breathtakingly lovely. And I like your framing effect.

Mary said...

Laura, that's a new flower for me. It's beautiful. And do I have to say this again (for the tenth time)? Will you frame some of your art???? Or sell it?

You know so much about plants and everything we soak up and breathe. I envy you.

Anonymous said...

just stopping by to say hello. i hear i keep missing you. i hope all is going well. it would be nice to have a moment to catch up. i know i can find you here. so just letting you know i am thinking about you.

Lynne at Hasty Brook said...

Laura- Absolutely , perfectly stunningly, and simply lovely. How about selling your artwork as greeting cards? Or framed as Mary says? At the very least I hope it hangs on your walls. I wish I could capture visions through your eyes.

This one is my favorite.
Hands down.

dmmgmfm said...

That is a beautiful color of blue. Gorgeous.

Anonymous said...

Hmm... I've heard of borage, and I don't think I've ever seen it. Thanks for sharing it here!

Jayne said...

Oohhhh... how very beautiful Laura. It does look like candy it's so bright! I agree with everyone else... your art is meant to be shared. You have such a great eye.

Dorothy said...

Borage is a wonderful herb. The oil contains Omega 6 fatty acids, specifically GLA, and is useful in the treatment of Rheumatoid arthritis.

Here is a recipe using borage flowers. Would be a nice addition to a 4th of July picnic.

Red, White and Blue Salad
serves 4 to 6

3/4 cup sour cream
1/4 tsp. course black pepper
1 tsp. white sugar
1 Tblsp. rice wine vinegar
1 tsp. fresh chopped dill
1/8 tsp. fresh grated lemon peel
1/4 tsp. finely grated red onion
salt
1 English cucumber
3 garden fresh red tomatoes
10 borage flowers


Combine all the ingredients except for the tomatoes and flowers. Slice tomatoes and arrange them, overlapping, around the edge of a serving platter. Mound the cucumber mixture in the center of the platter, just covering the inner edge of the tomatoes. Chill well, and place the borage flowers decoratively on the salad just before serving.

Anonymous said...

And it makes a beautiful dye for wool! I used to grow it back in Michigan where there was a lot of room for rambly plants. The good old days.

I would like a bunny fix when you have the time and inclination, please. I love your bunnies.

Anonymous said...

I just love blue flowers like this! I love the way you framed the shot!

Anonymous said...

Great shot. I love that indigo blue color.

RuthieJ said...

Wow, that's a beautiful shade of blue! And I love the red stems too...very patriotic looking! I especially like the way you've framed the picture with the deckle edge and blue outline. Do you use Photoshop or other software?

Cathy said...

I saw them in ice cubes many years ago and like you - I grew them - I loved them - and I never tasted a one of them :0)

Lené Gary said...

I fully agree, Laura. There's nothing like the beauty of a borage bloom. My mother has a front garden full of them. I love the way they shimmer when light hits their soft hairs.

Great local food post too. The raspberry story is shocking--can't imagine!

Gary Boyd said...

Laura...you have to taste them. Back when I grew borage here I just loved popping a flower in my mouth when I was in the garden. Someone once described the taste as a smile in your mouth and that's probably as close as I could come to putting it into words myself. I used to float it in my water glass for the flavor...try some...

LauraHinNJ said...

Dorothy: Thanks for that recipe - sounds like something I ought to try!

Thanks to all for the nice words on my efforts with photoshop. I can waste more time with that than anything else!