Borage Azure Blue - 1 Gram

Azure Blue Borage (Borago officinalis) is a hardy annual herb known for its vibrant sky-blue, star-shaped flowers and soft, hairy leaves. This is a beautiful, pollinator-friendly herb with edible flowers and a range of garden benefits. It grows quickly and blooms over a long season. The flowers are edible with a mild cucumber-like taste, perfect for garnishing drinks, salads, or desserts.

This plant is a magnet for bees and other pollinators, making it an excellent companion in vegetable gardens. It also self-seeds easily and can become a natural feature in cottage-style or wildlife gardens.

Sowing Time:

Indoors: Start in late winter to early spring

Outdoors: Sow directly from mid-spring to early summer

In warm climates, sow again in early autumn

Soil:
Well-drained, moderately fertile soil. Borage tolerates poor soil but prefers it slightly moist and not too acidic.

Sowing Depth & Spacing:

Sow seeds 1–1.5 cm deep

20–30 cm apart, as plants can grow bushy

Thin seedlings once they’re a few cm tall

Sunlight:
Full sun is ideal, but will tolerate partial shade

Watering:
Water regularly, especially during dry spells. Avoid overwatering—borage is drought-tolerant once established.

Germination:
Typically 7–14 days

Height:
Grows 60–90 cm tall with branching stems and large leaves

Flowering:
Starts about 8 weeks after sowing and continues all summer

Growing Tips

Staking:
Tall plants may flop—stake or support in windy spots

Self-seeding:
Let a few flowers go to seed if you want them to reappear next year

Companion Planting:
Great next to tomatoes, squash, and strawberries; helps attract pollinators and may deter pests like tomato hornworm

Harvesting:

Flowers: Pick fresh in the morning once fully open

Leaves: Best harvested young before they become coarse

Common Pests & Problems

Aphids

Symptoms: Clusters on stems and undersides of leaves

Control: Blast off with water or use insecticidal soap

Powdery Mildew

Symptoms: White powdery coating on leaves in humid or overcrowded conditions

Prevention: Provide good air circulation, avoid overhead watering

Slugs & Snails

Symptoms: Ragged holes in young seedlings

Control: Use beer traps, hand-picking, or copper tape barriers

Root Rot

Cause: Overwatering or poor draining soil

Prevention: Ensure soil drains well; allow soil to dry slightly between waterings