A beautiful hardy annual herb with rough leaves covered in silvery hairs and the most attractive celestial blue flowers. Nectar rich borage flowers are particularly attractive to pollinating insects, including bees which make distinctive flavoured borage honey. This versatile upright herb has a multitude of uses - add the cucumber flavoured leaves to summer drinks and salads, grow it as a companion plant close to other crops to attract pollinating insects, and at the end of the season plants make a useful bulky addition to the compost. Height: 60cm (24"). Spread: 45cm (18").
Medicinal note: Borage herb is a fine source of calcium and potassium and is recommended for toning up the glandular system, and all bronchial, lung and chest disorders. However you should always check with your doctor before using herbs for medicinal purposes.
Direct sow borage seeds outdoors where they are to grow from March to May. Borage seed germinates best at a temperature of around 15-25C (59-77F). Borage will grow in most soils but prefers a position in full sun on well drained soil which has been raked to a fine tilth. When growing Borage, sow seeds thinly, at a depth of 6mm (¼") in drills spaced 30cm (12") apart and cover seed with its own depth of soil to exclude light. Water the ground regularly, especially during dry periods. When seedlings are large enough to handle, thin them to 23cm (9") apart.
A beautiful hardy annual herb with rough leaves covered in silvery hairs and the most attractive celestial blue flowers. Nectar rich borage flowers are particularly attractive to pollinating insects, including bees which make distinctive flavoured borage honey. This versatile upright herb has a multitude of uses - add the cucumber flavoured leaves to summer drinks and salads, grow it as a companion plant close to other crops to attract pollinating insects, and at the end of the season plants make a useful bulky addition to the compost. Height: 60cm (24"). Spread: 45cm (18").
Medicinal note: Borage herb is a fine source of calcium and potassium and is recommended for toning up the glandular system, and all bronchial, lung and chest disorders. However you should always check with your doctor before using herbs for medicinal purposes.
Direct sow borage seeds outdoors where they are to grow from March to May. Borage seed germinates best at a temperature of around 15-25C (59-77F). Borage will grow in most soils but prefers a position in full sun on well drained soil which has been raked to a fine tilth. When growing Borage, sow seeds thinly, at a depth of 6mm (¼") in drills spaced 30cm (12") apart and cover seed with its own depth of soil to exclude light. Water the ground regularly, especially during dry periods. When seedlings are large enough to handle, thin them to 23cm (9") apart.
