Borage Seed (Borago officinalis)

Borage (Borago officinalis), also known as Starflower, is a hardy annual herb producing bright blue, star-shaped flowers throughout the summer. The flowers are rich in pollen and nectar, making borage an excellent plant for supporting bees and other pollinating insects.

Borage seed is easy to grow and well suited to wildlife gardens, herb beds and vegetable plots, where it can help attract pollinators to nearby crops.

Growing Instructions

• Borage can be grown on most soils that are not waterlogged.

• Sow outdoors in spring, once the weather begins to warm, usually April to May.

• Choose a sunny site and remove any unwanted vegetation.

• Lightly cultivate the soil to create a fine tilth.

• Scatter the seeds onto the surface, gently rake in and firm down.

• Keep the seedbed moist after sowing to ensure successful germination.

• Once seedlings have emerged, watering is usually not required.

• Flowering normally occurs from June to September.

• During the season plants will produce many seeds which fall to the ground, allowing borage to self-seed and return the following year.

• To prevent spreading, remove spent flowers before seeds develop.

Features on the Royal Horticultural Society's Plants for Pollinators list due to its pollen and nectar producing qualities.