Add a splash of celestial blue to your garden with Borago officinalis, commonly known as Borage or the Starflower. Renowned for its brilliant, drooping clusters of star-shaped azure blooms and its fuzzy, silver-green foliage, this fast-growing annual is a powerhouse of utility and beauty that has been a garden staple for centuries.

ITEM SPECIFICS

• Quantity: 25 High-Quality Seeds

• Variety: Borago officinalis (Starflower)

• Type: Hardy Annual (Readily self-seeds for the following year)

• Height: 60cm – 90cm (24–36 inches)

• Hardiness: Hardy

• Ideal For: Kitchen Gardens, Herb Borders, and Pollinator Sanctuaries

WHY GROW BORAGE?

• The Ultimate Bee Plant: Often called the "Bee Bush," Borage is legendary among beekeepers. Its flowers replenish their nectar far faster than most other plants, providing a near-constant "filling station" for honeybees and bumblebees.

• Edible Delights: Both the leaves and the flowers are edible! The flowers have a mild, cucumber-like flavor and look stunning frozen into ice cubes or used as a garnish for summer drinks and salads.

• Rapid Growth: Borage is incredibly fast to establish, often flowering just weeks after sowing. It is the perfect choice for filling gaps in borders or starting a new wildlife patch quickly.

• Dynamic Accumulator: In the garden, Borage is a fantastic companion plant. Its deep taproots bring up minerals from the subsoil, and its leaves make an excellent, nutrient-rich addition to your compost heap.

GROWING INSTRUCTIONS

• When to Sow: March to May (for summer blooms) or August to September (for early flowering the following year).

• Sowing: Sow directly into their flowering position. Make a small drill 1cm (0.5 inches) deep, drop the seeds in, and cover with soil. Borage has a long taproot and prefers not to be moved once planted.

• Temperature: Germinates best at temperatures between 15°C – 25°C.

• Germination: Fast and reliable, usually occurring within 7–14 days.

• Care: Once seedlings appear, thin them to about 30cm apart. They love a sunny spot but aren't fussy about soil quality. Once finished flowering, let the seeds drop to the ground, and they will likely pop up again next spring without any extra effort!