10 Plants for Amazing Summer Squash Growth

6. Borage: The Blue Beauty That Works Double Time in My Garden

Let me tell you about the year my squash patch went from “meh” to mind-blowing—all thanks to a little blue flower I almost didn’t plant. 🌸 I had seen borage popping up in Pinterest boards and thought, “Cute, but do I really need another plant taking up space?” Spoiler alert: YES. YES, I DO.

Borage = A Love Letter to Bees (and Wasps!)

Okay, so first off, borage attracts beneficial insects like bees and predatory wasps like nobody’s business. Within days of planting it near my squash, my garden looked like a pollinator party zone. Bees were buzzing everywhere, and even though the idea of wasps used to freak me out, I’ve since learned that not all wasps are jerks—some actually hunt down the pests that mess with squash leaves!

I started calling borage my “garden guardian” because every time I walked outside, I’d see ladybugs crawling on its fuzzy stems and hoverflies dancing around the blooms. If you’re into natural pest control in gardens, this is your new best friend.

Taste the Rainbow (or at Least Better Squash)

Now here’s something I didn’t expect—my summer squash actually tasted better when grown near borage. Like, seriously. Friends kept asking if I’d changed my recipe or bought them from a fancy farmer’s market. Nope. Just good ol’ companion planting magic.

There’s a theory that borage enhances squash flavor and growth when planted nearby, and after tasting my zucchini straight from the vine? I’m sold. Not only did they taste sweeter, but they also seemed to grow faster and more vigorously. Total bonus for foodies who love homegrown food inspiration and cooking with garden-fresh ingredients.

A Flower That Does It All

And can we just take a second to appreciate how stunning borage is? Those beautiful blue star-shaped flowers look like little galaxies floating in a sea of green. They’re seriously one of my favorite things to photograph in the garden—especially in the golden hour light. 📸✨

If you’re into nature-inspired photography, floral arrangements, or just making your garden IG-worthy, borage checks all the boxes. Plus, it’s super easy to grow from seed and comes back year after year if you let a few flowers go to seed.

Oh, and get this—it’s also medicinal and culinary! I’ve tossed the petals into lemonade for a whimsical summer drink, made infused oils for skincare, and even brewed a calming tea from the leaves. Talk about multi-functional plants.

👉 Ready to spice things up with a fragrant powerhouse? Click Next to meet dill—the aromatic ally your squash has been waiting for!