Borage-White

Borago officinalis bianca - Borage/ White

Pot size:  4-inch square

White Borage is the rare white-flowered sister to blue borage! Borage has some incredible traits for serious gardeners. Actually an annual herb, borage hails from the Mediteranean area in origin. It is an easy, fast-growing plant that has the flavor and scent of cucumbers. In fact, the young leaves and blooms are edible. Gardeners love borage for two main reasons: it attracts beneficial insects and pollinators like no other plant, and it is a superb companion plant for tomatoes, squash and strawberries. Some gardeners swear that nearby borage will actually improve the flavor of their tomatoes. The greenish-gray stems are covered in prickly fuzz, which serves as a deterrent to insects. Borage blooms in summer and fall months, with the blooms hanging downward in clusters. Borage is also useful for permaculture gardens and does well in containers. The flowers and leaves are edible. The white variety does not self sow like the blue does. 

Annual Herb
Zones: 2-11
Size: Grows 24-36 inches in height, 6-18 inches in spread.     
Light: Borage does best in sun to partial shade.
Soil: Borage does best in well-drained soil
Water: Moderate water requirements
Bloom: Blooms in June and July  
Other notes: Edible. Bee magnet!
Uses: Pollinator and excellent companion plant for some veggies

Photo Credit: C. McKowen