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Borago officinalis (Borage)
2 hours care
per year
per year
1m
Max height
Max height
0.5m
Max spread
Max spread
1-2 years
To maturity
To maturity
Plant details
Botanical name
Borago officinalis
Other names
Borage, Cool tankard, Talewort, Tailwort
Genus
Borago Borago
Species
B. officinalis - B. officinalis is a vigorous, erect, branching annual with coarsely hairy, ovate to lance-shaped, dark grey-green leaves and hollow stems bearing branched cymes of star-shaped, bright blue flowers from midsummer into autumn.
Borago officinalis is: Deciduous
Habit
Clump-forming, Erect, Branching
Flower
Blue in Summer
Foliage
Grey-green in Summer
How to care
Watch out for
Specific pests
Leaf-mining sawflies , Slugs Leaf-mining sawflies , Slugs
Powdery mildew Powdery mildew
General care
Propagation methods
Seed
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Where to grow
Borago officinalis (Borage) will reach a height of 1m and a spread of 0.5m after 1-2 years.
Suggested uses
Beds and borders, Bees (attract & feed bees), Cottage/Informal, Wildlife
Cultivation
Grow in any reasonably drained soil in sun or partial shade. Plant in the right place as it dislikes transplanting.
Soil type
Chalky, Clay, Loamy, Sandy (will tolerate most soil types)
Soil drainage
Well-drained
Soil pH
Acid, Alkaline, Neutral
Light
Partial Shade, Full Sun
Aspect
South, East, West
Exposure
Exposed, Sheltered
UK hardiness Note: We are working to update our ratings. Thanks for your patience.
Hardy (H4)
Companion plants
Borage works well with other herbs and old fashioned roses.
Botanical name
Borago officinalis
Other names
Borage, Cool tankard, Talewort, Tailwort
Genus
Borago Borago
Species
B. officinalis - B. officinalis is a vigorous, erect, branching annual with coarsely hairy, ovate to lance-shaped, dark grey-green leaves and hollow stems bearing branched cymes of star-shaped, bright blue flowers from midsummer into autumn.
Foliage
Deciduous
Habit
Clump-forming, Erect, Branching
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Colour
Flower
Blue in Summer
Foliage
Grey-green in Summer
How to care
Watch out for
Specific pests
Specific diseases
General care
Propagation methods
Seed
Monthly care advice
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Where to grow
Borago officinalis (Borage) will reach a height of 1m and a spread of 0.5m after 1-2 years.
Suggested uses
Beds and borders, Bees (attract & feed bees), Cottage/Informal, Wildlife
Cultivation
Grow in any reasonably drained soil in sun or partial shade. Plant in the right place as it dislikes transplanting.
Soil type
Chalky, Clay, Loamy, Sandy (will tolerate most soil types)
Soil drainage
Well-drained
Soil pH
Acid, Alkaline, Neutral
Light
Partial Shade, Full Sun
Aspect
South, East, West
Exposure
Exposed, Sheltered
UK hardiness Note: We are working to update our ratings. Thanks for your patience.
Hardy (H4)
USDA zones
Zone 10, Zone 9, Zone 8, Zone 7, Zone 6, Zone 5
In order to add a note on this plant, please add this plant to your plant lists.
| This plant likes... | Garden match | |
| Soil types: | Chalky, Clay, Loamy, Sandy (will tolerate most soil types) | Tell us... |
| Soil drainage: | Well-drained | Tell us... |
| Soil pH: | Acid, Alkaline, Neutral | Tell us... |
| Light: | Partial Shade, Full Sun | Tell us... |
| Aspect: | South, East, West | Tell us... |
| Exposure: | Exposed, Sheltered | Tell us... |
| Hardiness: | Hardy (H4) | Tell us... |
COMPANION PLANTS
Borage works well with other herbs and old fashioned roses.
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DISCUSS THIS PLANT
Self seeding?
Borago officinalis
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