Borage
€4.95
Borage (Borago officinalis) is a hardy annual edible flower and herb that typically reaches 60–90 cm tall, forming branching plants with soft, hairy green leaves. From late spring through autumn, it produces beautiful star-shaped blue flowers, occasionally pink or white, which are highly attractive to bees, hoverflies, and other beneficial insects. The flowers and young leaves are edible, with a fresh cucumber-like flavour that can be used in salads, drinks, herbal teas, desserts, ice cubes, butters, and summer garnishes. Borage is easy to grow and is ideal for gardeners of all experience levels, bringing edible flowers, pollinator support, companion planting value, and cottage-garden beauty to vegetable gardens, herb gardens, wildlife gardens, containers, and permaculture plantings.
Borage thrives in full sun to partial shade and prefers well-drained, moderately fertile soil, though it will tolerate poorer soils once established. It is hardy in Ireland’s cool temperate climate and often self-seeds readily, returning year after year where conditions suit it. Its long flowering season, edible cucumber-flavoured flowers, ability to attract beneficial insects, and usefulness as a companion plant make it an excellent choice for biodiversity-friendly edible gardens and regenerative growing systems.
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Growing Instructions
Plant in full sun or partial shade in well-drained, moderately fertile soil enriched lightly with compost. Water regularly during dry spells, especially while establishing young plants or when growing in containers, and apply a light mulch of compost or leaf mould to retain moisture and support healthy growth. Avoid overfeeding, as rich soil can encourage soft, leafy growth at the expense of flowers.
Harvest flowers regularly once fully open, and pick young leaves before they become too coarse or hairy. Allow some flowers to set seed if you would like Borage to naturalise and return in future seasons, or remove seed heads to limit self-seeding. Its edible blue flowers, cucumber-like flavour, exceptional bee value, and easy-care nature make it perfect for kitchen gardens, herb beds, wildlife gardens, companion planting, containers, and permaculture systems seeking beauty, biodiversity, and useful annual flowers.
