borage - white borage
white borage ( syn. Borago officinalis Bianca )
The white flowers of this borage make a fresh change to the more traditional blue. The bees will still flock to the nectar-rich blooms, and if picked, the petals can be used to decorate ice bowls and dress soups and salads. The young leaves of this annual have a cucumber-like flavour and can be added to many recipes. They are often used in pasta dishes, while the flowers can be used in ice cubes, salads and even dipped in batter and deep fried. Plant them between your tomatoes to reduce attacks of hornworm. At the end of the year, add the plants to the compost heap as they will promote many beneficial minerals. Borage is an annual plant, but it will self-seed readily in good conditions. If you don’t want more plants, dead-head the flowers as soon as they fade.
How to care for Borago officinalis Alba:
Form shallow drills at 30cm intervals in a well prepared bed, and sow thinly, just covering the seed before watering well. The seeds have a higher germination rate when temperatures are between 15 - 25C, so early sowings can be covered with a cloche. When big enough to handle, thin the seedlings to 25cm.
Flowering period:
- Jan
- Feb
- Mar
- Apr
- May
- Jun
- Jul
- Aug
- Sep
- Oct
- Nov
- Dec
Eventual height:
0.75m
Eventual spread:
0.5m
Position:
Full sun / light shade
Rate of growth:
Fast-growing
Soil:
Moderately fertile, moist, well-drained soil
Hardiness:
Frost tender
approx 50 seeds
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