Borage (Starflower) Flowers

Name: Borage (Starflower) Flowers
Brand: SeedsNow
SKU: J7738
Price: 2.99 USD
Availability: InStock

$2⁹⁹ USD

Size

Sampler Pack (Appx. 65 seeds) Large Pack (Appx. 300 seeds)

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Description

Borage, also called Starflower, is a fast-growing flowering herb with bright blue star-shaped flowers and fuzzy stems and leaves, all edible and they taste like cucumber. Grows 1'-3' tall and reseeds liberally, so it can become invasive. Use the young leaves like spinach and the sweet little flowers as a charming garnish on salads and cakes, or frozen into ice cubes. Easy to dry and use as a refreshing herbal tea.

Cucumber flavor
Garden companion superstar
Culinary and medicinal
Spreads easily

A valuable companion in the vegetable garden, it repels cabbage moths, cabbage white butterfly, cabbage worms, and tomato hornworms; attracts pollinators and beneficial insects; acts as a trap crop for grasshoppers; and feeds the soil as a green manure or mulch.

As a medicinal herb, Borage is used internally to treat anxiety, colds, congestion, cough, depression, fever, hot flashes, insomnia, irritable bowel syndrome (IBS), upset stomach, and urinary problems, and externally to treat insect bites and stings, skin irritations, and swelling.

⚠️ Toxic to pets and livestock. Do not ingest while pregnant or nursing, or if you have liver problems.

⚠️ Medicinal properties are presented as information only, and are not a recommendation or prescription for use. Consult a medical professional before using any herb medicinally.

SEED PLANTING TIPS

Botanical name: Borago officinalis
Life cycle: Herbaceous annual
Hardiness zones: 2-11
Planting season: Spring, summer
Days to maturity: 55-60 days; can begin harvesting when 6" tall
Depth to plant seeds: 1/4" deep
Days to germinate (sprout): 5-14 days
Germination soil temps: 65F-70F
Spacing between plants: 12"-18" apart
Spacing between rows: 18"-24" apart
# of plants per sq. ft.: Appx. 1 plant per sq. ft.
Soil types: Clay, sandy, loamy, silty, rocky, chalky, poor, dry, moist, well-drained
Soil pH: 4.8-8.3
Sun needs: Full sun, part shade
Water needs: Average
Cold stratify: No
Frost tolerant: Yes
Heat tolerant: Yes
Drought tolerant: Yes
Deer resistant: Yes
Culinary use: Yes
Medicinal use: Yes

Good Companion Plants: Basil, Broccoli, Bean, Brussels Sprouts, Cabbage, Cauliflower, Collards, Cucumber, Eggplant, Fava Bean, Kale, Marigold, Melon, Mustard, Pea, Pepper, Pumpkin, Radish, Soybean, Squash, Strawberry, Tomato, Zucchini

Borage

Borage is a fairly common herbal remedy that has been used since ancient times. It's best when grown in containers because it is extremely invasive. The flavor of these flowers is crisp and refreshing.

What is Borage?

This gorgeous, but highly invasive medicinal herb will boast lovely blue and purple flowers and will get at least 5 feet tall wherever you plant it. Very easy to grow, it will re-seed year after year and will be a lovely piece for your garden. The flavor of the Borage flowers resemble cucumbers... cool and crisp.

Health Benefits of Borage

Borage is wonderful and has a great reputation for it's beneficial affect on the mind. It's been used to dispel melancholy and induce euphoria. It's a soothing saline, diuretic herb that helps treat damaged or irritated tissues. The leaves can be used as well as an emollient and expectorant.

Ways to Consume Borage

Consume these edible flowers in your favorite fresh salads or as a lovely garnish to any dish! Dry the leaves and flowers to make an herbal tea. Freeze these lovely flowers into ice cube trays. Try adding them to wine, cider, and other fruit drinks. Borage pairs well with all salads, most cheeses, summer-like beverages and even fish. You can even "candy" these flowers and use them as edible decorations on cakes, tarts and ice cream.

See Borage Recipes & Growing Tips on our Pinterest Board

Follow SeedsNow.com's board Borage on Pinterest.

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FREE! 📚 Organic Gardening (eBook)

MAIN TOPICS	FRUITS & VEGETABLES	HERBS & FLOWERS
14 Steps to Start Growing	Artichoke	Amaranth
Seed Spacing Cheat Sheet	Asparagus Roots	Anise
What does "organic" mean?	Asparagus Seeds	Arugula
Why garden organically?	Beans	Basil
Why grow Organic food?	Beet	Borage
Hybrid vs. Heirloom	Blueberries	Caraway
6 Factors to Consider	Broccoli	Cardoon
Common Gardening Problems	Brussels Sprouts	Catmint
7 Steps to Growing	Cabbage	Catnip
Where to Plant?	Carrot	Chamomile
Gardening Through 4 Seasons	Cauliflower	Chervil
Prepping a New Garden Plot	Celery	Chives
Sample Garden Plans	Collard Greens	Cilantro/Coriander
First Few Days in the Garden	Cucumber	Cumin
Managing Weeds	Eggplant	Dill
Intro to Soil	Garlic	Fennel
Soil Amendments	Kale	Fenugreek
Starting seeds indoors	Kohlrabi	Horehound
Transplanting	Lettuce	Hyssop
Watering	Melon	Lavender
Weeding	Mustard Greens	Lemon Balm
Intro to Composting	Okra	Lemon Grass
How to Compost	Onion (bulbs)	Lovage
Intro to Fertilizers	Onion (seeds)	Marigold
Buying and applying fertilizers	Parsnip	Marjoram
Materials to use for Mulch	Pea	Mint
Season extension techniques	Peppers, Hot	Nasturtium
Floating row covers	Peppers, Sweet	Oregano
Dealing with Pests & Insects	Potato	Parsley
	Pumpkin	Rosemary
	Radicchio	Rue
	Radish	Sage
	Rutabaga	Salad Burnet
	Rhubarb	Summer Savory
	Shallots	Sunflower
	Spinach	Tarragon
	Sprouts & Micro-Greens	Thyme
	Squash	Wildflowers
	Strawberries	Wormwood
	Swiss Chard	Yarrow
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