Acidic / Chalky / Alkaline / Clay / Heavy / Moist / Well Drained / Light / Sandy
To ancient Greeks and Romans borage, Borago officinalis, was a potent medicinal herb guaranteeing courage in battle. Now, though, these casually sprawling plants are more grown for their ornamental and culinary value. Their open blue flowers add colour and flavour to summer drinks, while the young leaves are sometimes included in salads.
Borage flowers are particularly attractive to bees – after a bee has visited a flower it refills with nectar within two minutes, making borage a great pollinator-friendly plant for a small garden.
Grow Borago officinalis in moist but well-drained soil in full sun. Allow plants to self-seed before cutting down.
Plant calendar
Jan
Feb
Mar
Apr
May
Jun
Jul
Aug
Sep
Oct
Nov
Dec
Sow
yes
yes
yes
Plant
yes
yes
Flowers
yes
yes
yes
yes
yes
Borago and wildlife
Borago is known for attracting bees, beneficial insects and other pollinators. It has nectar/pollen rich flowers.
