Starry blooms and cucumber flavor, grow beauty with benefits!
Borage is the herb that does it all. With dazzling blue star-shaped flowers and refreshing, cucumber-flavored leaves, itâs a pollinator magnet, a soil booster, and a tasty addition to your garden. Whether youâre garnishing a summer salad or brewing a calming tea, borage brings charm and utility in equal measure.
Variety:Â Borage (Borago officinalis)
Growth Habit:Â Annual herb
Height:Â 16â24 inches
Flavor Profile:Â Mild cucumber-like taste
Color:Â Blue to violet star-shaped flowers
Planting Conditions:Â Direct sow in full sun to partial shade; prefers moist, well-drained soil
Harvest Timeline:Â Leaves in 6â8 weeks; flowers bloom continuously from summer to frost
Uses:Â Edible flowers for salads, drinks, and desserts; leaves for teas and herbal infusions
Benefits:Â Attracts pollinators and improves soil health
Fun Fact:Â Borage has been used since ancient times to boost courage and is beloved by bees and beneficial insects.
Borage is a garden multitasker that brings both beauty and bounty. Its vivid blooms attract bees, butterflies, and hummingbirds, making it a top choice for pollinator gardens. The edible flowers add a whimsical touch to salads and cocktails, while the leaves lend a cool, cucumber flavor to teas and summer drinks. Plus, itâs a natural soil enhancer, whatâs not to love?
To Full Size
đ Choose a Sunny Spot: Full sun to partial shade works well.
đąÂ Sow the Seeds: Sow ½ inch deep, spaced 12 inches apart.
đ§Â Water Regularly: Keep soil moist but not soggy.
đžÂ Thin and Maintain: Thin seedlings to 12â18 inches apart.
âď¸Â Harvest: Pick young leaves and flowers as needed. Deadhead spent blooms to encourage more flowering.
