Borage Blue (Borago officinalis)

Borage (Blue Flower)

Is a Mediterranean annual herb known for its striking blue, star-shaped flowers and edible, cucumber-flavored leaves.

Borage is one of those charming cottage garden plants that effortlessly brings softness, colour and life into a garden space. Also known as the starflower due to its delicate star shaped blooms, this beautiful herb produces masses of vivid blue flowers that seem to glow in the sunlight. The flowers are highly attractive to bees, butterflies and other beneficial pollinators, making borage an excellent companion plant for vegetable gardens, orchards and wildlife friendly spaces.

With its slightly fuzzy silver green foliage and naturally relaxed growth habit, borage creates a wonderfully informal and romantic effect in the garden. Flowering generously from spring through summer, the striking blue blooms continuously replenish themselves, providing weeks and often months of colour. The edible flowers are not only ornamental but are also commonly used to decorate cakes, desserts, salads and summer drinks, where they add a refreshing cucumber-like flavour.

Borage is an easy to grow annual that thrives in full sun and well drained soil. Once established it is remarkably resilient and often self seeds freely, returning year after year in suitable conditions. It grows quickly and happily amongst vegetables and herbs, where it is valued for attracting pollinators and supporting biodiversity in the garden.

Plant Features

• Common Name: Blue Flower
• Flower Colour: Blue
• Mature Height: 1-3feet
• Growth Rate: Rapid growth
• Sun Requirements: Adequate
• Water Needs: Adequate

Why You’ll Love It

Culinary and Medicinal Uses:

The flowers and leaves are edible, with a mild cucumber flavor.

Flowers can be used as garnishes, in salads, or frozen in ice cubes for drinks, while leaves can be eaten raw or cooked.

Borage seeds produce starflower oil, rich in gamma-linolenic acid (GLA), a nutritional supplement with anti-inflammatory properties.

Traditionally, borage has been used for skin conditions, inflammation, and as a mild antidepressant.

Growing Tips

Borage is easy to grow and thrives in full sun with well-draining soil, tolerating poor or alkaline soils. Blooms from early summer to the first frost. The plant is an annual but readily self-seeds, returning year after year without replanting. Borage, with the right conditions can become vigorous, so providing space and occasional trimming helps manage its growth.