borage
Borago officinalis
RHS Plants for Pollinators
USDA zones2 to 11
SunHandles full sun to partial sun
WaterHandles dry to moderate soil
Size1 to 3 feet tall9 to 18 inches wide
- Growth rate
- Moderate
- Habit
- Spreading
- Bloom season
- Summer, autumn
- Bloom color
- Blue
- Foliage color
- Gray/silver, green
- Soil types
- Sand, loam, clay, chalk
- Soil pH
- Acid, alkaline, neutral
Garden uses
Attracts
Notes
Borage (Borago officinalis) is an herb for borders, pollinator gardens, and food gardens. It is typically grown as an annual. It handles cool weather and a light frost. This plant likes full or part sun and dry to average soil of most types. Blue flowers open from early to late summer and draw bees, butterflies, and hummingbirds. Deer and rabbits rarely make it their first choice.
Pairs well with Cornflower, Common poppy, Chives, and Rosemary.
Native range
Europe, Africa, Baleares, Corse, and 4 more places. See all 8
Europe, Africa, Baleares, Corse, Kriti, NW. Balkan Pen., Sardegna, and Sicilia.