Planting Borage In A Herb Garden

Sage, rosemary and thyme are perennial staples of most herb garden areas, but don’t forget the annuals. A hardy annual, suited to all USDA hardiness zones, is borage. Borage, also called bugloss, is an herb, Borago officinalis, in the same family, Boraginaceae, as the Virginia cowslip and Virginia bluebell. Borage (Borago officinalis) is an easy-to-grow, blue-flowering herb garden plants that can be used for culinary and decorative purposes. Plant borage seeds during April and May, when the soil temperature is about 70 degrees Fahrenheit. Sow seeds in sunny areas in shallow rows spaced 12 inches apart. Cover seeds with about 1 centimeter of soil, and water until soil surface is moist. Do not attempt to transplant borage; it forms a long taproot and therefore does not transplant well. Thin seedlings as they begin to crowd one another until the plants are spaced about 15 inches apart.

Borage is a low-maintenance herb garden plant that doesn’t require much care. Water and thin seedlings regularly until the plants reach maturity. Water mature plants during periods of prolonged drought. Move potted borage indoors in autumn before the first frost. To prevent borage from self-seeding in the garden, pick its blue flowers regularly before they are able to set seed.

Outdoor Yard With Borage Plants

Though less well-known than other herbs, borage has nevertheless been used for centuries as an herb and a pot herb. There are records of Roman use, dating back to the early years CE.

Outdoor Garden With Borage Plants

Standing 1 to 3 feet tall, it looks good in herb gardens among other culinary plants or seeded informally in wild gardens or drifts of flowers.

Borage Plants In The Garden Yard

With its attractive blue flowers from June to August, borage is a welcome addition to the summer garden.

Borage Plants In The Garden

Plants grow to between 24 and 36 inches in height and reach up to 20 inches in width. Borage is an annual plant that self-seeds easily in the garden.

Borage Plants In The Backyard Garden

Borage can be grown as an indoor container plant or outside in the garden. Choose a garden site with rich, well-draining and slightly acidic soil, around a pH of 6.6, for your borage plants.

Backyard Garden With Borage Plants

Borage (Borago officinalis) is a common garden plant, alternately used as an ornamental flower, an attractor of beneficial insects and a culinary herb.

Outdoor Backyard With Borage Plants

Borage (Borago officinalis) is of Mediterranean origin and, as such, thrives in full sun, although it will tolerate light shade.

Borage Plants In The Yard

An avid reseeder, borage prefers a sunny site and well-drained soil. It spreads assiduously, so plant it in spots where this is a desired trait. It can be used as a border plant.