My Tiny PlotBorage Nearly in Flower
The borage that I sowed way back in mid March are beginning to flower. They are tantalizingly close to popping open. But not yet! When they do I know they’ll be the brightest of blues. Maybe I’ll try to make a claret cup with them.
They have been so easy to grow. And as I understand it they will self seed everywhere so I won’t have to worry about floating flowers next year. I sowed them in the cold frame and then transplanted them into a sunny bed. They seem to love it.
Just beware that once they self seed, you will never get rid of them. Trust me, it is everywhere in my garden and I treat it as a weed. It grows very deep roots very quickly and will grow back from the smallest bit of root. I would dead head regularly if I were you.
Sorry to sound so negative on my first ever comment on your blog (I’ve been reading for a while) – I’ll try to post something more positive next time!
what are the hot tips with borage’s? I’m thinking of expanding the things I currently have in my back garden.
Borage is excellent as a systemic aphid killer, brought my honeysuckle back from the brink
I sowed borage in my plot last summer (in NZ, so not that long ago). I never realised how utterly HUMUNGOUS they get, and as Roland said above… OMG does it self sow!! Even now, after a blanket of snow, I can see borage seedlings trying to out-manouevre my green manure seedlings. GRRRR! Unfortunately I also have calendula seedlings that my wee daughter kindly scattered about the garden to worry about. Both are wonderful plants.. in moderation.
:)
Even before they flower the buds are rather delightful. Looking forward to seeing the actual flowers.
Blues? I’m sorry but is this true? When I got married I begged the florist for blues, bless her she did a good job but then she also told me there was no such thing as blue flowers! Please tell me where I can get these from as I would love to plant my own, I feel that the blue is so calming xx
Strangely I can’t get it to grow. My seeds did not germinate and when I bought a plant it died on me!
Borage is closely related to comfrey so good as a compost activator and soaked in water makes a good organic feed.
We have lots of borage and love it! great for attracting bees, improving the taste of nearby vegetables, making ice cubes, and in Pimms! have a peek at our borage blog at http://www.woollygreen.com/2012/06/08/beautiful-borage/
They are beautiful and yes, they are blue. I like blue flowers too and, while they are hard to find, there are some out there. Forget-me-nots are one that comes to mind and is a true blue. Google them for pics.
I like self seeding things in the garden. I also grew feverfew, several mints and a few other invasive things and love them!
True, the do self-sow prolifically, but I love the blue flowers and, almost more importantly, so do the bees. In spring when they start growing everywhere in the veggie patch, I leave them as ground cover till I need the space, then just pull them up and put them on the ground as cover.