Plant name: Borage officinalis
Other names: Cool tankard, tailwort
Category: Annual
Plant family: Boraginaceae
Light preference: Full sun, partial shade
Soil preference: Chalk, clay, loam, sand - well drained
Size:
- 0.5-1.0 metres height
- 0.1-0.5 metres spread
Flowering period: June-Oct
Description: This is a large, branched annual with coarse, hairy stems. Above its dark green leaves sit small (2cm across) starry blue flowers which appear over a long period in summer. Grown for both it's decorative and culinary benefits, the bright flowers are sometimes used in summer drinks and the young leaves can be added to salads. Also a great pollinator friendly plant!
Care: It's relatively easy to grow in either sun or partial shade if the soil is reasonably well drained. Can be left to self seed after flowering.
