Description

The Courage Plant, Star-Bright Beauty and Gentle Strength

Borage is the plant of brave hearts and gentle spirits, a burst of unrestrained generosity that turns ordinary garden space into something bright and hopeful. It rises quickly, lush and green, with soft, fuzzy leaves that taste cool and fresh like cucumber, and it blooms in brilliant blue stars that seem to glow from within. This is the old “herb of courage”: practical, beautiful, and quietly comforting, offering both leaves and flowers as if abundance were its natural language.

A whisper of history

Borage is native to the Mediterranean world and has been grown for centuries in European gardens as a culinary herb, a household remedy, and an edible flower. Old herbal traditions praised it for lifting the spirits, so much so that it carried a medieval motto: “I, borage, always bring gladness.”

What You’ll Grow

• Plant habit: Vigorous annual, typically 45 to 60 cm (18 to 24 in) tall (often wider)
• Leaves: Large, bright green, softly hairy/fuzzy
• Flavour: Fresh, cool cucumber notes with gentle sweetness
• Flowers: Star-shaped, usually brilliant blue (sometimes pink/white)
• Best use: Salads, drinks, garnishes, edible flowers, teas, freezing in ice cubes

Days to maturity: 50 to 70 days from seed to first harvest; then continuous production.

• Growing Instructions

  Start seeds indoors 4-6 weeks before the last expected frost, or direct sow in the garden after the danger of frost has passed. Borage seeds germinate quickly and reliably.

  For indoor starting, sow seeds in moist seed-starting mix, lightly covering with soil. Keep soil warm (65-70°F) and consistently moist. Seeds should germinate in 5-10 days. Provide bright light once seedlings emerge.

  Harden off seedlings gradually before transplanting into the garden. Borage seedlings are relatively hardy and can tolerate cool temperatures.

  Transplant seedlings into the garden after all danger of frost has passed. Space plants 12-18 inches apart.

  Alternatively, direct sow seeds in the garden after all danger of frost has passed and the soil has warmed. Sow seeds 1/4 inch deep, spacing them 6-12 inches apart. Thin seedlings to 12-18 inches apart when they’re 2-3 inches tall.

  Full sun is preferred. Borage requires at least 6 hours of direct sun daily, preferably more. The more sun, the more vigorous the growth and the more abundant the flowers.

  Well-drained soil is essential. Borage does not require rich soil and actually produces better flavour when grown in lean, well-drained soil. The plant thrives in sandy or rocky soils and does not tolerate wet, heavy soil.

  Moderate water. Borage is somewhat drought-tolerant once established and prefers soil that is on the dry side—water deeply but infrequently, allowing soil to dry slightly between waterings. Overwatering can reduce flavour and promote disease.

  Minimal fertilization. Borage does not require heavy fertilization and actually produces better flavour when grown in lean soil. A light application of compost at planting time is usually sufficient.

  Pinch off flower buds occasionally to encourage continued leaf production, or let plants flower freely to enjoy abundant, beautiful flowers. Borage flowers continuously, so that you can have both leaves and flowers.

  Harvest leaves regularly, starting when plants are 6-8 inches tall. Cut stems 4-6 inches from the ground, leaving enough growth for the plant to regenerate. Regular harvesting encourages branching and continuous production.

  Harvest flowers throughout the growing season. Pick flowers when they are fully open and at peak beauty. Flowers can be used fresh immediately or dried for later use.

  For drying, harvest leaves and flowers just before flowering (for leaves) or when flowers are fully open (for flowers). Hang bundles upside down in a warm, dry place until completely dry.

  Days to Maturity: 50-70 days from seed to first harvest; continuous production thereafter

  Culinary and Medicinal Notes: The Herb of Courage

  Borage is perfect for any use where you want superb, fresh flavour or beautiful edible flowers. The large, fuzzy leaves and abundant star-shaped flowers make it ideal for both culinary and medicinal use.

  Fresh in salads: Use tender borage leaves, where the superb, fresh flavour complements vegetables beautifully. The leaves are best used young and tender.

  In drinks: Add fresh borage leaves to cold drinks, lemonade, and iced tea for a remarkably refreshing, fresh flavour. Borage is traditionally used to flavour Pimm’s Cup and other summer drinks.

  With cucumber: Combine borage leaves with cucumber in salads, infusions, and drinks, where the similar cool, fresh flavours complement each other beautifully.

  As a garnish: Use fresh borage flowers to elevate salads, soups, desserts, and drinks, where the star-shaped blue flowers add beauty and delicate flavour.

  Candied flowers: Candy borage flowers by brushing them with egg white and coating them with fine sugar. Candied flowers can be used to decorate cakes, cupcakes, and desserts, or eaten as a sweet treat.

  In ice cubes: Freeze fresh borage flowers for a beautiful, elegant way to serve cold drinks.

  In butter: Blend fresh borage flowers with softened butter to create flower butter for melting on grilled vegetables and fish.

  In honey: Infuse fresh borage flowers in honey to create a delicate, flavorful honey for sweetening tea and desserts.

  In vinegar: Infuse fresh borage leaves and flowers in vinegar to create a delicate, flavorful dressing for salads and cooking.

  In oil: Infuse fresh borage flowers into extra-virgin olive oil to create a delicate, flavorful oil for drizzling over dishes.

  Medicinal infusion: Steep fresh borage leaves in hot water to make a soothing, medicinal tea traditionally used to lift the spirits, calm anxiety, strengthen the heart, and promote courage.

  In soups: Add fresh borage leaves, especially to cold summer soups, where their superb, fresh flavour is exceptionally refreshing.

  Dried for winter use: Dry borage leaves and flowers for use during the winter months. Hang bundles upside down in a warm, dry place until completely dry, then store in airtight containers.

  Canadian Climate Notes

  Borage thrives in Canadian summers, making it ideal for gardeners who want to grow authentic, traditional herbs with both culinary and medicinal value. The variety thrives on warm, sunny days and produces vigorously throughout the summer months.

  For best results, direct-sow seeds in the garden after the danger of frost has passed, or start seeds indoors 4-6 weeks before the last frost. The plants grow quickly and begin producing within 50-70 days.

  The variety requires full sun and well-drained soil to thrive. Borage is not demanding and will grow successfully in average garden soil without heavy fertilization.

  Borage is killed by frost, so harvest all remaining leaves and flowers before the first fall frost. In regions with long growing seasons, borage can produce for 4-5 months or longer.

  The vigorous growth, large leaves, and abundant, beautiful flowers make borage particularly valuable in Canadian gardens—you can grow authentic, traditional borage that brings both practical value and emotional comfort, that offers superb flavour and pure beauty with every leaf and flower, that transforms simple foods and drinks into celebrations of courage and joy.

  Hardiness Zones: 3-10 (as warm-season annual; killed by frost)

  Seed Saving

  Borage is an annual that produces seed in a single season. Seed saving is straightforward and rewarding.

  To save seed from borage:

  Allow plants to continue growing through the summer and into fall. The plants will produce abundant star-shaped flowers in shades of blue, pink, or white.

  Allow flowers to mature and develop seed pods. The seed pods will turn brown and dry as they mature. Each flower develops into a distinctive nodding seed pod containing several large seeds.

  Harvest seed pods when they are scorched and brown, before they shatter and drop seeds. Cut entire stems and place in a paper bag to finish drying.

  Thresh dried stems by shaking them vigorously in the bag. The large seeds will fall to the bottom of the bag.

  Store dried seeds in a cool, dry place. Borage seeds remain viable for 4-5 years.