“It maketh a man merry and joyful.” -Pliny the Elder, an ancient Roman naturalist on borage.

July 31, 2022. The Cottage Garden: Borage.

The pretty blue borage is already huge in our cottage garden. It sits as a friendly border that keeps the watermelon from mingling with the corn. It is pleased with its location and is growing fast, allowing plenty of seeds to fall to the ground and ensuring its successors next year. Its blue flowers look like bashful stars, drooping their heads as if embarrassed to face the world. When I bend down to look at their starry faces, it is almost as if they turn away shyly from me. Their fuzzy stems and leaves make them look otherworldly and translucent in the sunlight- a fairy garden. It’s a pity to see their hanging heads when they have so much to offer. If you are a vegetable gardener and you haven’t already, then you should acquaint yourself with borage.

Borage is an underrated herb in the cottage garden, as lavender is often the belle of the ball, with basil and thyme dancing in attendance. There are countless articles on lavender which would keep one reading for a lifetime, but borage sits unnoticed on the sidelines. Rarely do I see it sold in nurseries or in other gardens. I am hopeful, though. Borage seems to be receiving much more than its due, as edible flowers are the rage right now, and borage is a very pretty edible flower. Hopefully, people will learn more about the value of this shy herb.

Uses for Borage

Honeybees love borage. It is one of their favorites. As gardeners, we know how important our small buzzing friends are. They ensure our gardens grow, and therefore, we must help them thrive. Borage provides a steady food supply in repayment of this debt. Its extended bloom period goes right up to the first frost, so there is plentiful food for months for bees even when the other herbs and flowers are gone.

Borage is also wonderful as a cover crop to feed your garden. As the vessel for our seeds, dirt needs to be fed and nourished. Chop up the dead plants and work them into the soil; they will add nitrogen back into the soil and revitalize it for healthy crops the next year. Borage is also a great plant for pest control in the garden. Your cabbages and tomatoes will thank you for keeping those pesky worms away. Borage is a plant that requires so little maintenance. A package of seeds is an investment your garden will love, and so will you!

Have a beautiful day!