Borage Plant Profile
Borage (Borago officinalis) is an annual herb that originates in the Mediterranean. It has bright-blue, star-shaped flowers and hairy-prickly leaves. It is hardy to USDA Zones 2 through 11.
It is a terrific pollinator garden choice and attracts many kinds of butterflies as well as hummingbirds. Borage is also a great choice for the vegetable garden to attract bees when planted near tomatoes and strawberries.
It is easy to grow from seed. Borage prefers full sun and well-draining soils. If you grow it in a container put it in an unglazed terra cotta pot.
It will die when hit by a hard frost at the end of the growing season, but it can self-sow in subsequent years.
Borage does not need fertilizing. The only care it requires is to deadhead the spent blooms. It is both deer- and rabbit-resistant.
This versatile herb plant is said to have several medicinal uses such treating fevers or as a sedative. In the kitchen, the edible flowers are sweet and look delightful on top of a dessert. They can be added to ice water or cocktails for a refreshing, cucumber-like taste as well.
Borage: You Can Grow That!
The video was produced by Washington Gardener Magazine as part of our Plant Profile series for Mid-Atlantic USA gardeners.
Audio and text by Kathy Jentz
Video and editing by Jamie Oberg
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