Borage
Borage BAW-ruhj
Borage, a bee-friendly herb, is easy to grow and thrives in well-drained soil and full sun, though it can tolerate some shade. Borage is highly valued in companion planting. When paired with vegetables like tomatoes, squash, and strawberries, it can help enhance growth and deter pests. Because of its deep roots and fast growth, borage is often used in crop rotation and soil enrichment strategies. Its roots break through hardpan soils and draw up nutrients, which then become available to other plants as the borage decomposes. This makes borage ideal for sustainable gardening.
Full to Part Sun
Height: 24-36″/Spread: 12-24″
Late Spring – Fall
Size Available: 1201
Description
Borage BAW-ruhj
The borage plant is an easy, fast-growing, annual herb with vivid blue flowers and both the flavor and scent of cucumbers. While it is considered an herb, it’s often grown as a flowering plant to entice pollinators into the vegetable garden. Borage is somewhat gangly, but its star-shaped, hanging flowers steal the show. It also boasts a greenish-gray stem and leaves that are covered in a prickly fuzz, which acts as a deterrent for insects. Borage is considered a good companion plant for tomatoes, squash, and strawberries. It’s even supposed to deter tomato hornworms and improve the flavor of tomatoes growing nearby. Note that borage can be mildly toxic both to people and pets.
