Borago officinalis

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Plant
ID 1370 Borago officinalis
Botanic Name Borago officinalis
Common Name Borage
Family Name Boraginaceae
Cultivars syn. Borago advena, Borago aspera, Borago hortensis
Origin Europe, Zone 5-10
Growth Type Annual
Bark Type Soft wooded
Foliage Type Evergreen Water Use Medium
No. of Species 3
Growth Habit Low Bun Shape Growth Rate Fast
Height 0.4 - 0.6 m (1 - 2 ft) Spread 0.4 m (1 ft)
Plant Overview
This upright annual herb forms a rounded bushy habit with prickly hairy stems. It has dull dark green oval-shaped leaves and the bright blue pendant star-shaped flowers appear in clusters from spring to early summer.
Leaf
Type Simple Additional Information
Shape Oval
The basal leaves are oval to oblong and the alternatly arranged stem leaves are lanceolate. All the leaves are roughly pubescent with a serrated margin and an acute apex.
Arrangement Basal
Margin Sinuate
Colour Dull green
Size 100 - 150 mm ( 3.9 - 5.9 in )
Flower
Perfume Odorless Additional Information
Shape Stellate
The pendant 5 pettaled stellate flowers are arranged on a terminal leafy cyme that is held above the foliage. The flower throats have scales and stamens that form a cone-shape and the flower is also editable. They appear from late spring to summer.
Inflorescence Cyme
Colour Blue
Size 20 - 25 mm ( 0.8 - 1.0 in )
Flowering in
(Southern Hemisphere)
Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun
Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec
Fruit
Type Nut (dim. nutlet) Additional Information
Colour Brown
The small schizocarpic nut splits into 4 one seeded articles. The seed are small and numerous. The seeds are viable but the plant may be reproduced vegetatively.
Edible Yes
Bird Attractive No
Size 0 - 0 mm ( 0.0 - 0.0 in )
Fruiting in
(Southern Hemisphere)
Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun
Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec
Environment & Cultivation
Natural Soil Tolerates most well drained soil types, fertile moist sandy to clay loams
Container Pots, tubs, planter boxes
Climate Cold - cool temperate
Aspect Full sun to semi shade, open position, drought and frost tolerant
Pest & Diseases Susceptible to powdery mildew
Fertiliser Not normally required, application of liquid fertiliser during the growing period
Pruning Not normally required, trim to contain after flowering
Cultural Uses Propagation
Borage is an easy to grow annual herb that is planted in garden beds or containers for cottage and herb gardens. It can be grown in the mountains or on the coast establishing from seed in one season and has culinary uses with a cucumber taste.
Sow fresh seeds in situ during spring. Divide established clumps during spring. Take cuttings from summer to autumn and in cold climates place in a cold frame till spring.
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