Borage - Borago officinalis
Grown in Williams, OR by Strictly Medicinal Seeds
Borage is native to the Mediterranean region and is a plant that seeds itself, popping up wherever it pleases. It would almost be a nuisance if it weren't so charming with star-shaped blue and purple flowers that taste faintly of cucumber, and that pollinators can't resist. Sow directly in the garden in early spring and you'll have blooms by midsummer, humming with bees the whole season.
Borage makes an excellent companion plant near strawberries, tomatoes, squash, bush beans, and lettuce. It's said to improve growth and flavor in nearby crops while drawing in the bees and beneficial insects that keep a garden healthy.
Cut back flowers before they form seed heads to manage the spread.
Product Description
- 30 organically certified seeds
- Annual flowers (some overwintering)
- USDA Hardiness Zones: 2-11
- Full sun (minimum 6 hours of direct, unfiltered light)
- ~80 days to maturity
- Plant in fall or early spring. Blooms summer through fall.
How to grow it
Direct sow after the last frost, seeds just barely covered (1/8" deep), about an inch apart in soil that's regular to rich and well-drained. Expect sprouts in 7–14 days and flowers 10–12 weeks after that.
Starting indoors works too. Sow in pots 3–4 weeks before the last frost and keep them at 60–70°F until it's time to transplant. Water moderately and consistently.