Plant Type

Annual, Herb

 

Height Range

1-3'

 

Flower Color

Blue

 

Flower Season

Summer

 

Leaf Color

Grey Green

 

Bark Color

n/a

 

Fruit Color

n/a

 

Fruit Season

n/a

Sun

Full

 

Water

Low, Medium

 

Growth Rate

Fast

 

Soil Type

Sandy, Clay, Loam, Rocky, Unparticular

 

Soil Condition

Average, Poor, Dry

 

Soil pH

Neutral

 

Adverse Factors

Attracts Bees

Design Styles

English Cottage, Formal, Mediterranean, Ranch, Spanish

 

Accenting Features

Fragrance

 

Seasonal Interest

Summer

 

Location Uses

Entry, Perennial Border

 

Special Uses

Cut Flowers, Small Spaces

 

Attracts Wildlife

n/a

Borage is an annual herb prized for its intensely blue, star-shaped flowers that bloom in summer, and it's edible leaves that have a fragrance and taste of cucumber. Young ,tender leaves may be eaten raw, older leaves are best steamed or sauteed (like spinach). The plant can grow 1 to 3 feet tall and half as wide, though it is a little sprawlish in nature and may take up a bit more room.

Grow in full sun to light shade in well drained soil. Tolerates poor, dry soils. Though an annual, under happy conditions it will reseed in the garden. Seeds can be started indoors, or sown outdoors in spring. Though it has no pest problems, powdery mildew may be an issue if overhead-watered, or over-watered in general.