Borage is a coarse textured plant growing to about 2-3 feet. It produces attractive sky-blue flowers that are star-shaped. Leaf color is a gray-green with both leaves and stems covered with fine hairs. Borage is easily grown from seed started indoors or directly sown in the garden after frost is past. It prefers a full sun location and once established does well on soils that are dry. If grown for culinary use, successive sowings of seed at four week intervals will result in a good supply of fresh foliage. The foliage has a cucumber-like flavor that is useful in salads, soups or stews and beverages. The flowers are used as an edible garnish or added to deserts or drinks.
Pollination occurs by insect, bird, wind, humans, or other natural mechanisms. Because there are no restrictions on the flow of pollen between individuals, open-pollinated plants are more genetically diverse. However, as long as pollen is not shared between different varieties within the same species, then the seed produced will remain true-to-type year after year.
This variety has a history of being passed down within a family or community, similar to the generational sharing of certain items like jewelry or furniture.
A biennial plant is a flowering plant that takes two years to complete its biological lifecycle. In the first year, the plant only grows leaves, stems, and roots, then it enters a period of dormancy over the colder months.
* This is an estimated guide. Conditions may vary considerably due to location.
60 days