One of the easiest flowering herbs to grow, 2 to 3' Borage has clusters of sky-blue little starry flowers and silvery-green leaves that add contrast to other garden plants. Harvest these dainty bluest of blue flowers with their mild, cucumber taste to use as garnishes and decorations. Children especially delight in the pretty shape and color of Borage blossoms and the texture of their fuzzy leaves. Borage self-sows easily and welcomes garden pollinators.
Boraginaceae Borago officinalis
Vanessa cardui
The larvae of the Painted Lady will feed on sunflowers and a number of vegetable crops. However the damage is rarely serious enough to warrant interfering with this beautiful butterfly.
Image: Whitney Cranshaw, Colorado State University, Bugwood.org