Borage – Growing Guide

Overview

• Name: Borage
• Botanical Name: Borago officinalis
• Plant Family: Boraginaceae
• Native to: The Mediterranean region

Description

Borage is a hardy annual herb that typically grows between 60-90 cm (2-3 feet) in height and 30-60 cm (1-2 feet) in spread. It features coarse, hairy stems and leaves, with the lower leaves being broad and ovate, growing up to 15 cm (6 inches) long, while the upper leaves are smaller and more lance-shaped. The plant is most notable for its vibrant star-shaped flowers, which are usually bright blue but can occasionally appear in shades of pink or purple. These flowers bloom prolifically from early summer through fall.

Borage has a sprawling habit and can self-seed vigorously, often reappearing in gardens year after year without the need for replanting. The flowers are edible and have a mild cucumber flavor, which makes them an excellent addition to salads, drinks, and as a decorative garnish. Young leaves are edible in small quantities.

Interesting Facts

1. Borage is highly attractive to pollinators, especially bees, because its bright blue flowers produce abundant nectar. This makes it an excellent companion plant for increasing crop yields in gardens.
2. The edible flowers of borage offer a sweet, mild cucumber-like flavor, making them a refreshing addition to salads and drinks.
3. Borage seeds are primarily used to extract borage oil, which is rich in gamma-linolenic acid (GLA). GLA is an omega-6 fatty acid known for its anti-inflammatory properties, making borage oil a popular supplement for managing conditions like eczema and arthritis.
4. Borage flowers are used in modern herbal teas for their calming and mood-enhancing effects. Their mild sedative properties help alleviate stress, anxiety, and mild depression.
5. Borage (Borago officinalis) and comfrey (Symphytum officinale) are closely related as members of the Boraginaceae family. Both are valued in herbal medicine, with comfrey known for wound healing and borage for its anti-inflammatory and mood-boosting effects.
6. Borage flowers can be used to produce a natural anthocyanin dye, which starts as bright blue and turns pink when exposed to acidic conditions. This dye is versatile and can be used in various crafts and culinary applications.
7. Traditionally, borage is used to garnish and flavor the Pimm’s Cup cocktail, adding a refreshing touch to the drink.

Basic Growing Information

• Sun Requirements: Full sun to partial shade
• Water Requirements: Medium
• Soil Types and Properties: Well-draining soil rich in organic matter
• Soil pH: 6.0 – 7.5
• Pot Size for Container Growing: Minimum 30 cm (12 inches) deep

Planting

Borage is generally considered a warm-season plant, but it thrives best in moderate temperatures. The optimal temperature range for growing borage is between 15°C and 24°C (60°F to 75°F), but it can tolerate cooler temperatures down to about 4°C (40°F). Temperatures around 18°C to 21°C (65°F to 70°F) are ideal for seed germination and to ensure healthy seedling development.

• Best Time to Plant:
  • Climates with freezing winters: Sow seeds directly in the garden after the last frost.
  • Climates with milder winters: Can be sown in autumn or early spring.

Note: Check gardening calendars for the best planting times in your location

• Spacing: Space plants about 45-60 cm (18-24 inches) apart.
• Seed Sowing Method: Direct sow into the garden.
• Seed Sowing Depth: 1 cm (0.5 inch) deep
• Time to Harvest: Leaves can be picked as soon as they are large enough to use; flowers bloom about 8 weeks after sowing.
• Mature Height/Spread: Typically grows up to 60-90 cm (2-3 feet) tall and spreads up to 60 cm (2 feet).
• Grown From: Seeds

Care and Maintenance

• Watering Tips: Water regularly but allow the soil to dry out between waterings.
• Fertilization: Apply a general-purpose fertilizer once at planting if needed, but borage generally does well in poor soil without much feeding.
• Pruning: Generally not necessary except to remove spent flowers to encourage new blooms or to maintain desired shape.
• Support: Typically does not require support.

Growing Difficulty

• Easy

Growing Tips

• Borage can tolerate poor soil and drought conditions once established.
• It can become somewhat invasive as it self-seeds prolifically.

Companion Plants

• Good companion plants include: Strawberries, tomatoes, squash, and most vegetables.
• Avoid planting near: Borage generally does well alongside most plants without negative effects.

Note: When planting borage near strawberries, be mindful of spacing. Borage plants can grow quite large and may overshadow strawberry plants, potentially limiting their access to sunlight. To prevent this, ensure there is adequate space between the two plants so that both can thrive without competing for light.

Common Pests and Diseases

• Pests: Rarely bothered by pests.
• Diseases: Powdery mildew can occur, especially in humid conditions.
  • Prevention and Control Methods: Ensure adequate spacing for air circulation and avoid overhead watering.

Harvesting

• Harvest Time: Harvest leaves anytime during the growing season and flowers as they bloom.
• Harvesting Tips: Pick leaves and flowers in the morning after the dew has dried for best flavor and freshness.

Propagation

• Propagate by seed. Borage self-seeds vigorously, so additional planting is often unnecessary after the first year.

Culinary Uses

Both the flowers and young leaves of borage are edible and offer a variety of culinary applications.

Borage Flowers:
The vibrant blue flowers are prized for their mild cucumber-like flavor and are commonly used to enhance the flavor and visual appeal of dishes.

• Garnishing: Fresh borage flowers are often used as garnishes for salads, desserts, and beverages. Their bright blue color adds a decorative touch that enhances the presentation of dishes.
• Infusions: The flowers can be infused into liquids like syrups, vinegars, and cocktails, imparting a subtle flavor and a natural blue hue. In acidic solutions like lemon juice or vinegar, the color shifts from blue to pink, creating a visually appealing transformation.
• Crystallization: Crystallizing borage flowers involves coating them in sugar and allowing them to dry, preserving their color and making them a beautiful edible decoration for cakes, pastries, and other desserts.
• Colorant in Ice Cubes: Borage flowers can be frozen into ice cubes, adding a decorative element to beverages. As the ice melts, the flowers gradually release their color, giving drinks a subtle blue tint.

Borage Leaves:
The young leaves of borage are versatile in the kitchen. When tender, they can be added fresh to salads or used as a garnish, offering a mild cucumber-like flavor. In addition to being used fresh:

• Soups and Stews: Borage leaves can be cooked in soups or stews, much like spinach, where they contribute a gentle herbal flavor. Cooking also softens their naturally hairy texture, making them more palatable.
• Stuffed Leaves: In some culinary traditions, borage leaves are used to wrap fillings, similar to how grape leaves are used, and then steamed or baked.

As the leaves mature, their texture becomes more hairy and tough, making them better suited for cooking rather than fresh use. Cooking the leaves softens the hairs, making them more palatable and enhancing their flavor.

Caution: Borage contains pyrrolizidine alkaloids, just like comfrey, which can be toxic to the liver if consumed in large quantities. Therefore, it’s important to use borage in moderation. While it has therapeutic benefits and is popular in both culinary and herbal applications, careful consumption is advised due to the potential health risks associated with its alkaloid content. However, it’s important to also note comfrey contains significantly higher levels of these alkaloids compared to borage.

Using Borage Flowers as a Natural Dye: A Step-by-Step Guide

Borage flowers produce a natural anthocyanin dye that can be used to color fabrics, paper, and even food items. The dye starts as a bright blue but can change to pink in acidic environments, making it a versatile option for various applications. The dye obtained from borage is known as a pH-sensitive dye, which means its color can shift depending on the acidity or alkalinity of the solution in which it is used.

Materials Needed

• Borage flowers: Fresh or dried (approximately 2-3 cups of fresh flowers or 1 cup of dried flowers for a small batch of dye)
• Water: Enough to cover the flowers in a pot (about 1 liter)
• Heat source: Stove or hot plate
• Strainer or cheesecloth: To strain the dye liquid
• Vessel for dyeing: A pot or container that can safely hold the dye and fabric
• Fabric or paper: Natural fibers like cotton, linen, silk, or wool work best
• Mordant (optional): Alum (aluminum potassium sulfate) for fixing the dye (use about 1 tablespoon per liter of water)

Step-by-Step Dyeing Process

1. Harvest and Prepare the Flowers:
   • Collect approximately 2-3 cups of fresh borage flowers. If using dried flowers, 1 cup should suffice.
   • Rinse the flowers gently to remove any dirt or insects.
2. Create the Dye Bath:
   • Place the flowers in a pot and add enough water to cover them (about 1 liter).
   • Heat the mixture over medium heat until it simmers. Maintain a gentle simmer for about 30-60 minutes, allowing the color to leach out of the flowers and into the water.
   • Stir occasionally and check the color. The dye bath should turn a deep blue.
3. Strain the Dye:
   • After simmering, remove the pot from the heat.
   • Strain the dye through a cheesecloth or fine strainer to remove the flower solids, leaving you with a clear, colored liquid.
4. Prepare the Fabric or Paper:
   • If you are dyeing fabric, it is recommended to pre-treat it with a mordant. Dissolve 1 tablespoon of alum in 1 liter of warm water. Soak the fabric in this solution for at least an hour, or overnight for stronger colorfastness.
   • Rinse the fabric thoroughly and wring out the excess water before dyeing.
5. Dye the Fabric or Paper:
   • Place the fabric or paper into the strained dye bath.
   • Let it soak for at least an hour, stirring occasionally to ensure even coverage. For deeper colors, you can let it soak longer, even overnight.
   • Keep in mind that the final color may vary based on the material, the length of time in the dye bath, and the pH of the dye solution.
6. Adjusting the Color:
   • To shift the color from blue to pink, you can add a small amount of vinegar (an acid) to the dye bath. Start with 1 tablespoon and add more as needed until the desired shade is achieved.
7. Rinse and Set the Dye:
   • Once the desired color is reached, remove the fabric from the dye bath and rinse it in cold water until the water runs clear.
   • Hang the fabric to dry away from direct sunlight, which can fade the color.

Borage Dye: Unique Properties and Creative Uses

The dye from borage flowers is a pH-sensitive dye, meaning its color can change based on the acidity or alkalinity of the environment. This characteristic makes it versatile but also sensitive to washing and exposure to light, so it is best used for items that won’t require frequent washing or heavy exposure to sunlight.

Possible uses include:

• Fabric Dyeing: Suitable for natural fibers like cotton, silk, and wool. The dye can create soft, pastel shades or more vibrant hues depending on the concentration and treatment.
• Paper Dyeing: Perfect for crafting, card-making, or art projects where a natural dye effect is desired.
• Food Coloring: Although less common, borage dye can be used in culinary applications, particularly in crafting natural colorants for baked goods or beverages. Obviously, in culinary uses, mordants are NOT to be used as they are toxic to consume!

The Role of Mordants in the Dyeing Process

Mordants are substances used to fix dyes to fabrics, improving the color’s longevity and resistance to washing. Alum is a commonly used mordant that is safe and effective for plant-based dyes like borage. Using a mordant will generally result in more vibrant and long-lasting colors.

Quantities:

• For fabric: Dissolve 1 tablespoon of alum in 1 liter of warm water.
• Soak the fabric in the mordant solution for 1 hour or longer, then rinse thoroughly before dyeing.

Using borage flowers as a dye is a simple and rewarding process that results in beautiful, natural colors. Whether you’re dyeing fabric, paper, or creating artistic culinary presentations, borage offers a unique and eco-friendly way to add color to your projects.

In conclusion, borage is a delightful and easy-to-grow herb with both culinary and ornamental uses. Its ability to attract pollinators and improve garden health makes it a valuable addition to any garden. Enjoy its vibrant blue flowers and cucumber-flavored leaves in a variety of dishes.