Borago Species, Borage, Starflower

Purchased this last October & planted it in part sun. It survived winter with
No special care at all. Once it started warming up i...Read Moret has grown rapidly & now has flower buds. Very carefree plant, I really haven't had to do much to it & it is very happy.

The plant was easy to grow, beautiful, even though i might have confused it with a weed when it first appears. I have done some research ...Read Moreon it and apparently the richer the soil, the more spiky it is. It is great for bath infusions, it is anti-inflammatory and relaxing in the tub.

The vegetative growth of Borage is rather weedy, but the flowers are very nice blue stars with dark red stems. The entire plant is cover...Read Moreed in trichomes which makes me not really want to eat it even though the tag says it is edible. I am aware this has medicinal uses of some sort but I don't know exactly what they are. This year I just grew it as an ornamental piece and I am rather pleased with it. Does well in a clump of five or six plants growing in a large container.

Although this plant self-sows a little too readily in my garden, it makes up for it with its beautiful blue blooms, and by being a bee-ma...Read Moregnet in early spring when my fruit trees are coming into bloom. The seedlings are easy to pull, and I've ready that it is a particularly good plant to add to compost. Around here, it blooms again in the fall.

I find this a happy-go-lucky plant that self sows itself at will. It is easy to pull out unwanted plants, and I typically thin them to n...Read Moreot closer than 3 feet from another one, which adds a touch of blue throughout my herb labyrinth without having the borage become a thug. Attracts bees. Try sugaring the blossoms (paint with egg white, dip in superfine sugar, let dry).

Deb, Pacific Northwest

I've started mine from seed on Memorial Day, courtesy Territorial Seed Company, and they are just about leaping out of the ground. Talk a...Read Morebout instant gratification!...and update, victim of my own success. They grew 3-4' tall, massive, and then with over 100 degree heat and erratic watering (and water-er), they have all fallen, with all the vigor of the vegetable they are. Crushed you can really get a good whiff of the cucumber!

It's a good companion with most plants. Tomatoes, squash, and strawberries are good companions. Attracts bees and wasps like chocolate fo...Read Morer children. Deters hornworms and cabbage worms. It might increase its neighboring plant's resistance to disease and pests. Borage is said to increase flavor of strawberries.

This plant winter sowed very well.

Borage (Borago officinalis), an intorduced native plant in many states, makes a beautiful showing in late winter and spring in my area. ...Read MoreIn warmer regions, plant the seeds in October so the plants bloom in the cool months. In areas with cold weather, the seeds can be planted in the spring. It is a great nectar plant for adult butterflies. The foliage and flowers do not emit a fragrance; however, they produce a fresh, cucumber like flavor. After seedlings are up and prospeing, keep the soil on the dry side because over-watering will kill the plants. This plant does not transplant ell because of its deep taproot. The plants might get very top-heavy and need support. It can crush smaller plants nearby or shade late-growing herbs causing them to not prosper.

Caution:
Borage is high in calcium and potassium . But, when consumed over a long period of time and in large quantities, liver damage and/or liver cancer can occur. So, use in moderation and persons that have liver problems woud be wise to avoid eating this plant.

I have borage in my vegetable garden to attract pollinators. Bees love it. Once the borage flowered, I had plenty of bees in my garden....Read More I can see them milling around it from my window in the morning. The blossoms are indeed very pretty. I'm sure I will have lots of little borages popping up next year and that is fine with me.

Wanted to add. Looked out the window the other day and there was a hummingbird checking out my borage. He stayed a while going from flower to flower. The best look at a hummer I've ever had.

This plant does seem to trip along it's own path in my garden, it does almost as well in part shade as full sun. I've seen hummingbirds ...Read Moreattracted to it. The compost pile chomps up it's mineral rich leaves.

I planted this is late fall '05 from a 4" pot. It is now 18" tall and at least 12" around and has beautiful blue blooms in winter. It s...Read Moretill looks great after a light overnight freeze.

I found the Borage in several garden beds in Interior Alaska (Fairbanks). They were very hardy and blooming profusely. We are quickly hea...Read Moreding into fall with cool early morning temperatures (50F) which warm to 70F in the afternoon.

This plant grows wild in Spain. From late winter to late spring.

I found this plant growing in my mom's un-cared for pile of dirt backyard in Novato. I think the area might of gotten a bit of water whe...Read Moren the concrete was poured for a patio - but otherwise they are thriving (and spreading) completely without my help!

Very easy plant to grow and flowers are a nice blue.

I finished my (MS.c) Master degree in Agriculture science on Borage plant & i found alots of surprised, for more information pls. Don't h...Read Moreesitate to contact me on my e.mail: yaser_hashash@hotmail.com, or my mobile:+20101634433

yaser hashash

Be aware that Borage self seeds itself everywhere.

I greatly enjoy borage plants every year, though I don't utilize them for culinary purposes. The tall, course stems and leaves are an int...Read Moreeresting contrast to the beautiful starlike blue flowers. It will always have a place in my garden... especially since it self-seeds so readily!

An erect, bristly annual which is native to Southern Europe but is widely naturalised.

Has large, ovate - lanceolate, mid ...Read Moregreen leaves covered in stiff hairs as they age (walk barefoot with caution). The further up the main stem the leaves become stalkless, clasping and much smaller and pointed. Bears small, star shaped, 5 petalled blue flowers which face downwards. Buds have a soft, downy white appearance. Anthers are purple/black and shaped into a cone.

Flowers anytime between April and September

It favours well drained, poorish soils in full sun.

Borage is the traditional flower of courage and imparts cheerfulness. Ladies would embroider silk hankerchiefs with borage flowers as 'favours' for jousters and soldiers who would collect them as they were dropped.

Borage for Courage is an old saying which appears to have some truth as a chemical present acts on the adrenal gland.

It was used to treat lung problems, chest disorders, cleanse blood, reduce fever, make a good gargle for sore throats and mouth ulcers as well as being good for sore eyes when made into a tea/lotion. Cosmetically it makes a good bath water. The plant must be young and fresh for any use and even now it is used for the above by herbalists.

The young leaves (non-prickly) have a slight cucumber taste and can be used as such in salads and sandwiches. The flowers are also edible but the black parts need to be removed, they make a great summer decoration in ice cubes for cold drinks. The flowers were also made into a drink and tart desserts.

Its a very useful companion plant as bees adore it and will spend much time fliting around a patch of borage. Borage and strawberries encourage each other in growth and it deters tomato worm too.