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Borage

Borago officinalis
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Borage

Sparkling periwinkle-blue blooms dance atop borage's fuzzy stems and leaves. A beauty in the garden, annual borage faithfully comes back from seed each year, quickly filling in a space. Harvest edible flowers to beautify salads, summer drinks, or desserts. Toss blooms onto fanned tomato and mozzarella slices for a festive Fourth of July feast. Freeze flowers in ice cubes to decorate drinks with cool color. Borage will flower indoors in containers if given heat and plenty of light. In the garden, pull seedlings judiciously in spring.

Light:
Sun
Plant Type:
Annual, Herb
Plant Height:
1-3 feet
Plant Width:
1/2-2 feet wide
Flower Color:
Periwinkle-blue blooms, rarely pink or lavender flowers
Bloom Time:
Flowers open from spring to fall frost
Landscape Uses:
Containers, Beds & Borders
Special Features:
Flowers, Attracts Butterflies, Drought Tolerant, Deer Resistant, Easy to Grow

Harvest Tips


Harvest blooms when fully open, carefully removing the prickly back. Rinse flowers and pat dry; store between damp paper towels in the refrigerator until use. Vinegar discolors flowers; add blossoms to salads just before serving. Like the flowers, leaves offer cucumber flavor, but prove too hairy for most gardeners' palates. Blanching leaves can help diminish fuzziness. To preserve flowers, freeze in ice cubes, or candy or crystallize blooms.

Propagation


Seed

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