Borage

While we sell borage on the herb table at The Garden Corner, many gardeners prefer to use it as a pollinator magnet and an attraction for beneficial insects. That said, the blue, star-shaped flowers are an attractive addition to the summer garden, and can be eaten in salads, imparting a cucumber flavor. Leaves can also be used in cooking, either raw/fresh finely chopped for salads and to flavor beverages, cooked like spinach, or dried for making tea.

Borage can grow to two feet tall and not quite as wide, and if left to its own devices, will self-seed. In some instances, it has been considered to be invasive, so deadhead the flowers before going to seed, and consider planting borage in a container. Deadheading will also encourage repeat blooms, and will help maintain a more compact shape.  

Common Name: Borage

Culinary Uses: Flowers and young leaves (chopped fine) may be used fresh in salads. Leaves may also be cooked like spinach in stir-fries and pasta dishes.

Harvest Time: Pick up to 1/3 of the leaves as needed throughout the growing season. Small young leaves are more suitable for using fresh or cooked, as they are less hairy.

Mature Size: 1 - 3 feet tall, 12" - 18" wide

Growth Rate: Fast

Cold Hardiness: 40°

Characteristics:

• Attracts pollinators
• Container Lover

Light:

• Full Sun
• Afternoon Sun

Structure: Upright

Photos: Real images, not stock photos

Please Note: When Ground Shipping is selected, plants will be shipped on the following Monday to help maintain the plant quality.