Fine Herbs

Borage

Annual borage with hairy foliage and edible, star-shaped blue flowers, very popular with bees and useful in the vegetable garden as a companion plant.
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Exposure
Sun to partial shade
Hardiness
Not hardy

Discover the plant

Common nameBorage
FamilyBoraginaceae
TypeEdible annual, pollinator-friendly
Botanical nameBorage

Borage is an aromatic and edible annual plant much loved for its beautiful star-shaped blue flowers and slightly fuzzy green foliage. It adds a natural, rustic, and luminous touch to vegetable gardens, edible flower beds, herb gardens, and pollinator-friendly landscapes. Its edible flowers are often used to decorate salads, desserts, cool drinks, and summer plates, while young leaves can be consumed in moderation for their fresh taste, slightly reminiscent of cucumber.

Easy to grow, borage prefers a sunny to lightly semi-shaded location, in light, well-drained, and moderately fertile soil. It grows quickly, requires little maintenance, and often self-seeds naturally when it thrives in the garden. Its free and somewhat wild habit is very suitable for natural vegetable gardens, medicinal gardens, flowered borders, and spaces where one wishes to create a lively, spontaneous, and biodiverse effect.

Very melliferous, borage attracts bees, bumblebees, and several beneficial insects, making it an excellent ally for the vegetable garden and surrounding crops. Its generous bloom adds color throughout the season, while promoting pollinator activity around vegetables, herbs, and edible flowers. It is an ideal plant for gardeners looking for an easy, useful, decorative annual perfectly suited for gourmet and natural gardens.

Borage

Planting guide

From planting to establishment.

Propagation No-till drilling

Soil and care

The right care,at the right time.

Soil pH

Neutral to slightly alkaline

Minimum temperature

32 °F

Care level

Easy

Watering

Regular; keep the soil moist without overwatering

Soil type

Light, fertile, well-drained soil

Fertilization

Light compost for sowing; avoid excess nitrogen

Moisture

Average moisture; tolerates slightly dry soil once established

Seasonal care

Remove spent flowers to limit self-seeding; harvest young leaves and flowers as needed

Container growing

A garden,within reach.

Possible to grow in a large, well-drained pot
Borage

Bloom and dimensions

Its place,in your garden.

Mature height

45 to 75 cm (18 to 30 inches)

Width / spread

30 to 45 cm (12 to 18 inches)

Flower color

Blue

Foliage color

Grayish green

Foliage type

Obsolete

Growth rate

Rapid growth

Bloom period

Spring to Fall

Fruiting

Late-season seeds

Harvest

Leaves and flowers from spring to fall
Borage

Garden associations

In goodcompany.

Companion plants

Tomatoes, strawberries, squashes, cucumbers

Wildlife and pets

Life,around your plants.

Supporting wildlife

Attracts pollinators