Blue Borage seed packet
- botanical name: Borago officinalis
- annual
- height 18-30″
- spacing 12″ apart, in rows 24″ apart
- full sun tolerant, partial shade
- average soil to poor soil
- flower color blue
- uses in garden: great in containers
- use in salads and garnishes
- attracts butterflies
Blue Borage plants bear hundreds of small and edible, beautiful blue flowers. A mild cucumber flavor, used in salads and garnishes. Easy to grow, Blue Borage readily self-sows with a long harvest period. Borage does well in average soil and will do well even in poor soils in full sun to partial shade.
Sowing Instructions:
Indoor planting is possible but not recommended as borage develops a taproot and is somewhat difficult to transplant.
Outdoors – sow seeds as soon as soil has warmed in the spring. Plant 1/4″-1/2″ deep, 3 seeds per foot, in rows that are 24″ apart. Germination 7-14 days. Thin to 12″ spacing for individual plant. Harvest 45-55 days.
Harvest borage as it begins to flower. Dry flowers quickly under moderate heat with good air circulation. It is not recommended to eat the leaves of Borage, as they contain an alkaloid that may cause liver damage if the plant is consumed on a regular basis. Consuming small quantities of blooms is considered safe. Seeds are a rich source of gamma-linolenic acid (GLA). Borage seed oil does not contain pyrrolilzidine alkaloids.
