Borage

 Borage is one of the herbs I grow because it looks so great. It is one of the scruffiest looking edibles I know; the leaves have a coarse texture with numerous little prickles and it is amazing that anyone ever thought of eating it. Copped up finely, it is often used in salads; it is particularly good in potato salad because of its cucumber-like flavour. But for me, it is the blooms that stand out. A charming clear sky blue that is rare in the garden. The arching shape and halo of fine prickles, the pink blush on the stems, all contribute to its appeal. It is said to self-seed somewhat too aggressively, but not so far in my garden. It likes sun and is pretty robust. All in all a very generous garden plant.