Borage: The Blue-Flowered Herb That Bees Can’t Resist
If you’ve ever wondered about that cheerful blue-flowered plant popping up in herb gardens and cottage landscapes, you’ve likely encountered borage (Borago). This annual herb has been winning over gardeners for centuries with its stunning star-shaped flowers and surprisingly useful leaves. But before you rush to plant it, let’s dive into what makes borage tick and whether it deserves a spot in your garden.
What Exactly Is Borage?
Borage is a non-native annual that originally hails from the Mediterranean region. While it’s not native to North America, this plant has made itself quite at home across our continent. It’s been introduced and now reproduces spontaneously in the wild, establishing itself in locations ranging from Alaska to California, and from coast to coast in both the United States and Canada.
You’ll find borage growing in states and provinces including Alberta, British Columbia, Alaska, Manitoba, New Brunswick, California, Nova Scotia, Ontario, Prince Edward Island, Connecticut, Quebec, Saskatchewan, District of Columbia, Illinois, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, Montana, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New York, North Dakota, Ohio, Oregon, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, Tennessee, Utah, Vermont, Virginia, Washington, West Virginia, Wisconsin, and Newfoundland.
The Beauty Factor
Borage brings a distinctive charm to any garden space. Its most striking feature is undoubtedly its brilliant blue, star-shaped flowers that seem to glow against the plant’s fuzzy, gray-green foliage. The flowers typically appear in drooping clusters, creating a graceful, nodding effect that adds movement to garden beds. The leaves themselves are quite interesting too – they’re covered in fine hairs that give them a soft, silvery appearance and release a fresh, cucumber-like fragrance when brushed against.
Where Borage Shines in Your Garden
This versatile annual finds its place in several garden styles:
- Herb gardens, where it serves both culinary and medicinal purposes
- Cottage gardens, where its informal growth habit fits perfectly
- Kitchen gardens, where you can harvest both flowers and young leaves
- Pollinator gardens, where it acts as a bee magnet
- Companion planting schemes, particularly near tomatoes and other vegetables
Growing Conditions and Care
Borage is refreshingly easy to grow, which partially explains its widespread naturalization. Here’s what this accommodating plant prefers:
- Sunlight: Full sun to partial shade (though it flowers best in full sun)
- Soil: Well-draining soil of almost any type – it’s not particularly fussy
- Water: Drought tolerant once established, but appreciates regular watering during dry spells
- USDA Zones: As an annual, it can be grown in zones 2-11
Planting and Care Tips
Getting borage started in your garden is straightforward:
- Direct sow seeds in spring after the last frost date
- Seeds germinate quickly, usually within 7-14 days
- Space plants about 12-18 inches apart
- Harvest young leaves for the best flavor (older leaves can be quite prickly)
- Deadhead spent flowers to encourage continued blooming
- Allow some flowers to go to seed if you want volunteer plants next year
The Pollinator Paradise
Here’s where borage really earns its keep: this plant is absolutely beloved by bees and other pollinators. The flowers produce copious amounts of nectar, and you’ll often find your borage plants buzzing with activity. Honeybees, in particular, seem to have a special affinity for borage flowers, and beekeepers have long valued this plant for the quality honey it helps produce.
Should You Plant Borage?
The decision to grow borage comes down to your gardening goals and philosophy. While it’s not native to North America, borage isn’t considered invasive or noxious in most areas. It does self-seed readily, so you’ll likely have volunteer plants appearing in subsequent years – something to keep in mind if you prefer more controlled plantings.
If you’re focused on supporting native ecosystems, you might consider native alternatives that provide similar benefits:
- Wild bergamot (Monarda fistulosa) for pollinator appeal
- Blue vervain (Verbena hastata) for blue flowers
- Anise hyssop (Agastache foeniculum) for herb garden appeal
That said, borage has been part of North American gardens for so long that many consider it a naturalized part of our gardening heritage. If you decide to grow it, you’ll be rewarded with a low-maintenance plant that provides months of beautiful flowers, attracts beneficial insects, and offers edible leaves and flowers for your kitchen adventures.
The Bottom Line
Borage is like that friendly neighbor who’s not originally from around here but has become part of the community. It’s easy to grow, beautiful to look at, and incredibly useful for both gardeners and pollinators. Whether you choose to embrace this Mediterranean immigrant or stick with native alternatives, understanding borage helps you make informed decisions about your garden’s plant community. Just remember – if you do plant it, be prepared for it to make itself at home and return year after year through self-seeding!
