Borago officinalis
Borage
- Height × spread
- 0.7m × 0.4m
- Position
- Full sun
- Hardiness
- Frost free greenhouse 1C & above (RHS H2)
- Flowers
- Spring, Summer
Availability
Please ask in store about availability
Many plants are seasonal. Call 01234 567890 to check current stock.
About this plant
This is an interesting annual which produces abundant foliage and bright but modest sized blue flowers. Although it is lax in growth and often sprawls, it has a curious charm. Big hairy leaves are borne on a furry flowering stalk with buds whorled round the top. These open to reveal pretty, starry blue flowers, which make an elegant salad decoration. The leaves taste of cucumber and may be cooked like spinach. A sprig of foliage will enhance the flavour of your claret cup. Borage is a plant for the herb garden and it will set seed readily
- Flower colour
- Blue
- Foliage colour
- Green, Grey
- Stem colour
- Green, Grey
- Variegated
- No
- Scent
- Yes
- Shape
- Dome
- Height
- 0.7m
- Spread
- 0.4m
- Season of interest
- Spring, Summer
- Flowers in
- Spring, Summer
- Evergreen
- Deciduous
- Garden style
- Scented garden, Mediterranean garden, Herb garden, Cottage garden
- Sun or shade
- Likes full sun, tolerates part shade
- Soil type
- Chalk, Clay, Loam (normal), Poor soil
- Soil pH
- All types
- Drainage
- Well drained soil
- Hardiness
- Frost free greenhouse 1C & above (RHS H2)
- Borders & containers
- Borders
- Use for
- Ground cover, Bee attraction
- Hazards
- No
- Pet safe
- Yes – listed in our pet-safe plants
Spring
Spring-Autumn · Outdoors
Water during dry periods
For plants in the ground, when there has been little or no rain for a period of 7-10 days and the soil is dry, give it a deep watering and repeat weekly until there is a downpour of rain. Check plants in pots more frequently, especially in hot weather.
Summer
Summer - early · Outdoors
Feed a general fertiliser
Where plants have moderate needs for nutrients, they can simply be given a general feed, fairly early in the growth season so that the growth has plenty of time to harden off before the cold weather.
Give plants a general boost with the application of a general purpose fertiliser which is spread around the root area of the plant, with amounts as directed on the feed label.