Borage is a tall blue wild flower that grows up to 60cm high and its flowers can be used as pretty garnishes in summer salads and drinks.
Borago Officinalis / Common Borage: Ernie Janes (rspb-images.com)
It can sometimes be confused with Green Alkanet or pale purple Comfrey, or even a purple Vipers Bugloss but that’s because they are all in the same family known as Boraginaceae. Plants in this family share many similar characteristic including pastel colours and hairy stems and leaves. Other plants in the family include Heliotrope, Lungwort, Hounds Tongue and Forget-me-nots.
I have green alkanet growing in my own garden and recently discovered that it looks charming in a vase with ferns and astrantias but it also gave me itchy red hands while handling. There are many websites that advise wearing gloves to prevent skin irritation when handling any plants in the Boraginaceae family.
All these plants are a magnet for pollinators. You may be, well fortunate or unfortunate depending on how you look at it, to have some of these “weeds” growing in your garden. They are considered both weeds and wild flowers, it depends on where they are and whether they are becoming a problem or not but the bees and other pollinating insects love them.
Common Borage has the star shaped flowers and is also a bit of a star plant when it comes to wildlife as it’s a nectar factory. After a pollinator has visited to feed, it’s nectar can be replenished in as little as two minutes. This means that many pollinators can keep visiting the same flower throughout the day. Usually, flowers can take anything from several minutes to a full day to replenish nectar depending on the species and it’s environment.
Only a few garden centres sell established Borage plants but you can find plugs online or seeds to grow at home. Borage is a fast grower and can still be sewn at the beginning of July to mature towards the end of August so it’s not too late it you’ve got a few spaces you’d like to fill. Sew seeds directly in the ground where you want them and seedlings will appear in a few days. Choose the right spot as it doesn’t transplant well once it's tap root has become established.
As an annual, the same plant won’t regrow next year but it does self-seed to make new plants for the following year so if you don’t want them next year, pinch off the seed heads. It’s also a great companion plant particularly to grow with strawberries and fruit trees plus tomatoes, brassicas, cucumbers and squashes attracting pollinators to boost plant propagation and attract pest eating insects. The leaves of the plant can also be steeped in water to make a garden fertiliser as you would make with nettles or comfrey.
Borage has a lot to offer and nearly all plants in its family; Boraginaceae are beneficial to our garden wildlife.
For more inspiration on wildlife gardening, the Flatford Wildlife Garden, is open every day until October from 10.30am – 4.30pm. Entrance to the garden is free and well-behaved dogs on leads are welcome. Car parking is £5 at the Flatford National Trust car park and this gives you access to the stunning countryside walks around Dedham Vale in Constable Country.