Growing Borage, also Burrage, Bugloss

Borago officinalis : Boraginaceae / the borage family

Jan F M A M J J A S O N Dec
        P              

(Best months for growing Borage in USA - Zone 5a regions)

  • P = Sow seed
  • Easy to grow. Sow in garden. Sow seed at a depth approximately three times the diameter of the seed. Best planted at soil temperatures between 50°F and 77°F. (Show °C/cm)
  • Space plants: 8 inches apart
  • Harvest in 8-10 weeks. Use leaves before flowers appear, otherwise they will be 'hairy'. .
  • Compatible with (can grow beside): Strawberry, tomatoes, zucchini/squash. Deters pests from many plants.

Your comments and tips

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10 May 19, NC (New Zealand - temperate climate)
Want to grow borage through the winter in Hamilton. Successful do you think?
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11 Aug 18, Barbie (New Zealand - cool/mountain climate)
We are in Taupo where we get a lot of frosts. Our borage plants are unaffected and just keep on flowering week in week out. In Auckland our borage plants died back in late summer.
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03 Jul 18, Ali babakhanian (Australia - cool/mountain climate)
Hi where can I buy borage seed.?
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04 Jul 18, Mike L (Australia - sub-tropical climate)
Boondie - New Life Seeds - The Seed Collection Company
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03 Jul 18, Chris (Australia - sub-tropical climate)
Green Harvest sells borage seed
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29 Jun 18, Vicky Jacklin (South Africa - Summer rainfall climate)
I am trying to attract bees to the garden and believe they love Borage. I live in Durban KZN and would like to fill two pots with Borage. Any other suggestions to attract bees to the garden bearing in mind that we have a troop of about 20 monkeys that destroy everything. They have pulled out my dianthus but strangely enough the Violas haven't been touched. I believe that placing a spoon of sugar water in strategic places also attracts bees?
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10 Jul 18, John (Australia - temperate climate)
Borage, lavender, rosemary and thyme will attract bees and are not likely to be very attractive to monkeys English lavender bushes aren't as soft as Italian or French lavender so they would be a better choice
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12 Mar 18, Helen Rowe (Australia - tropical climate)
Can I grow Borage in far North Queensland have tried once didn't have too much success
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13 Mar 18, Mike (Australia - tropical climate)
It says here plant from May June - try then.
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18 Jan 18, Helen Brown (Australia - temperate climate)
I have painted Borage flowers with egg white and then sprinkled them with fine sugar, very pretty cake decoration, they will last a long time in air tight container if perfectly dried before storage. Freshly picked Borage flowers and Marigold petals, when sprinkled over salad, will win you a 10 out of 10 for presentation
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Showing 21 - 30 of 53 comments
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I live in Perth which has hot dry summers. Borage may not survive direct sunlight and heat through the day. The planting location will be hence and with espaliered citrus….?

- Phillip

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