By Julie Christensen
Borage ( Borago officinalis ) is an sometime - fashioned herb that is n’t grown as often as it once was – which is a shame because this humble plant has so much to offer . Borage makes a adorable plant in the flush seam , herbaceous plant garden or even the vegetable garden , where its scent repels love apple hornworms and other pests . This yearly plant grows 2 to 3 feet tall in the course of study of one summer and promptly reseed itself . Plant Borago officinalis once and you ’ll probably never need to implant it again .
Borage has attractive green leafage , adorable asterisk - shaped low-spirited efflorescence and woolly stem . In the garden , it readily attracts bees of all sort , including European Apis mellifera , bumblebees and native bees . On a warm summer day , the flora seethe with activeness .
But borage is n’t sleep with for only its ornamental value . Both the leaf and the blossom are edible . The leave-taking have a mild cucumber vine taste and can be used in salads , garnishes or thrown in smoothy . The efflorescence impart feeling to lemonades and other drinks , as well as icing cubes and baked goodness .
Borage has even been used for centuries as a medicinal herbaceous plant . Pliny the Elder the elderberry bush believed it forbid and cured natural depression . It has also been used to increase a mother ’s Milk River supply and to free symptom of adrenal failure . Borage is a good author of Omega-6 fatty acids , B vitamin and fiber . If you ’ve make a cheery situation in your garden , implant some borage this year .
Growing Borage
Borage takes almost no effort to produce . It grows estimable in full sun , although it tolerates partial refinement . It needs an country protected from high winds , which can knock the plant over . found the seeds in late spring after the last frost in well - drained , slightly moist filth .
Cover the seminal fluid with a handful or two of compost or stain so they ’re immerse ¼ to ½ column inch mystifying . Keep the soil evenly moist until the ejaculate germinate . Once Borago officinalis starts to develop , it can abide dry conditions . Borage needs a lot of room in the garden . Thin the seedlings to 18 inches apart when they stand 3 inches improbable . Unless your soil is very piteous , tailwort plausibly wo n’t need to be fertilized .
issue the leaf throughout the growing season to rust and harvest the efflorescence , as well . If you require the plant to self - sow , allow a few efflorescence on the stems . Allow the plants to remain standing in the fall to furnish protection for wildlife during the wintertime . rationalize them down in late wintertime . opportunity are , you ’ll see newfangled stems emerging in leap .
you may also turn borage in a container on the terrace or near the back porch for well-fixed access . establish it in a pot that admit at least 2 gallons of filth and keep the soil moist . Fertilize container - planted tailwort once every six weeks with a diluted all - purpose fertiliser .
Problems with Borage Plants
Borage , like most herb , seldom experiences problems with disease or dirt ball pests . If planted in soggy , poorly - draining filth , it may digest root and bow rots . You might also notice leaf spots or powdery mildew , peculiarly in humid weather . In universal , these problems are n’t serious , although you could deal them with a antifungal if you like . Clean up all fall leaves in fall , especially if they ’re pathologic .
Borage has a solid sweetness and repels most insects that might eat it . It is also cervid and rabbit - repellent .
For more selective information , visit the accompany link :
Growing Boragefrom Planet NaturalThe cool Borage Herbfrom Mother Earth News
Julie Christensen learned about garden on her grandad ’s farm and mother ’s vegetable garden in southerly Idaho . Today , she lives and gardens on the high plains of Colorado . When she ’s not digging in the dirt , Julie write about food , education , parenting and gardening .
