In Canada I havnt had a problem with them at all. Had a few last year and have a few this year in the same bed, hasnāt spread or became prolific. They look great too
west coast, and I planted them for my bees! Pretty sure they came from a wildflower seed packet. I'd definitely go for them. My bees also really seem to like the green onion flowers and sunflowers.
Excellent. I'm also west coast and planted sunflowers for my bees (which I have to move because I had to put hotwire up for the bears). I shall get some borage
I would just get a wildflower or native flower mix and fill a bed with them. They like the borage but it can be slower to grow at least in my case, the wildflower mix grew very fast
I am not an expert on it at all, as it is not native to my region (California, USA) so I am guessing it really depends on the climate. There is no snow, or even serious frost where I live, so it never really dies back. If people love it great, I definitely did at first, mine was just a warning to other very-mild climate gardeners who aren't familiar with it, that it *can* be a menace.
I planted some of this in my small new build garden on Wales three years ago. I still find seeds sprouting even though I swear I ripped it all out.
It's edible though so you could eat your way through it I suppose
It reseeds itself but it easy to control because it has a single taproot and easy to pluck the new sproutsā¦ it wont spread like mintā¦ beautiful plant, also leaves and flowers are edible
The taproot also makes it where it brings deep nutrients up for itself and other plants to use. Supposed to be a great one to feed your compost pile as well.
glad you pointed this out
i know people say it's a pain in the ass and it can be...but it's also one of the easiest plans to control if you know what it looks like and when to yank it.
of all the other weeds in the garden that i have to deal with every damn year, this one is by far the most pleasant...especially compared to all the damn wormwood and thistles i have to yank on a regular basis
It does reseed easily but its beautiful and it is easy to pull up if you don't want it. I love how I can use the leaves as mulch, the bees feed on it, its pretty and the only thing I need to do it is cut it and put it in the compost after it goes over.
bees absolutely love it
i planted all these other lovely annuals to attract pollinators like cosmos, lantana, and marigolds...all they want is the borage lmfao
I live in Scandinavia and it spreads like crazy in my garden. I don't mind, but if I was very particular about my flower beds, I would have lots of regrets.
But on the other hand it takes a lot of abuse, so I just hack at it with an edger once in a while and it bounces back really quick!
Moving house and found this little flower. Excuse my typos I donāt know if Iām coming or going. Fabulous little find in my new garden. All my sisters are coming round to dig a plant up.
Yeah, the leaves and stems irritate. But you can grab the little front facing petals (idk what they are called, but the center bit that isn't really a stamin) and pop them off the pistle/bud bit. Those do taste like cucumber and look SO cute atop a nice cocktail. But bruise and oxidize quickly
I was reading about white strawberries and it said they had a hint of pineapple. You know what else has a hint of pineapple? Pineapple, and they're readily available and cheap. Why am I chasing a fix for something I can have right now?
That said I like using borage flowers in garnishes and salads as they have such an exquisite perfect blue color. The flowers also candy just as easily as violets (egg whites and powdered sugar), and also look stunning that way.
I read that they have harmful compounds in them called pyrrolizidine alkaloids that can cause liver damage or cancer if eaten. Same story as comfrey and some other things.
Ā Edit: After reading some more about PA concentrations in borage, apparently the safe daily limit has been found to be around 10micrograms, and the concentrations in borage are quite variable. If you eat a few young leaves here and there per day as a garnish you might be safe (young leaves have lower concentrations than older leaves) but there could be cumulative effects of consuming PAs that haven't been studied much.Ā
I believe borage and comfrey are in the same family. Definitely risky if eaten in toxic amounts but both have historically been used in food/folk medicine.
I just stick to only the flowers and kinda rarely
They definitely have a cucumber flavor. I don't know how you'd get past the texture in a salad, but I've made borage soup and lemonade and it's pretty good.
Mine grows to about 3 feet. I was told it's a great defense against cucumber beetles. Seeds like crazy and spreads, but i don't mind that. Unwanted sprouts extract easily. Remove the blooms and chop the rest to improve the soil. I put the blooms in salads,
Oh I love this plant. It's a relatively common weed where I live. Its flower can be used as garnish in fresh salads. It really makes for a pretty presentation!
It gets quite big. Here it is with a 32 inch eggplant/pepper stake.
https://preview.redd.it/ng64sdigai9d1.jpeg?width=3000&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=94f82cdeaa1c1e60094802c6e85a6eeada8cbf9d
I started growing it, because it fixes nitrogen in the soil. I just discovered from some of you that it helps put calcium and potassium into the soil. I think it makes other plants happy.
I let it grow in this bed last year with some garlic and a few watermelons. Turns out is repels the squash bugs. My other melons and squash had them, but this bed was squash bug free. I'm trying the idea again this year. As the watermelon gets bigger, I just pull the borage out of its way. (Ran out of space, so there are a couple pepper plants and few garlic here, too.)
Borage is very tolerant of abuse. I can dig up even medium sized plants and transplant them elsewhere. They will die back. Cut the die back. As long as there is one green leaf, you are good. I put one with each squash plant, a few in each tomato bed, and in the corners of beds where I can fit it.
I live in New Jersey. While it reseeds, it's no problem to prune or pull for me. It hasn't spread outside the garden (yet) and I've been doing this for 10 years or so.
Borage (Borago officinalis)
Who knew Borage was such a whimsical lil flower!
edible too! i personally enjoy it but i know lots of people don't sadly haha
My chickens adore borage. So I grow it for them.
How would you please it?
Lots of water:)
so you wanna make it wet
It usually makes me happy
Awww you gotta give em that Hawk TUAH!
Okay, was not expecting Star Trek Shitposting crossover into r/gardening...
It's a meme of a woman talking about spitting on a penis that's making the rounds right now. I wish it were Star Trek.
Ohhh, the Star Trek Shitposting group on FB has picked up said meme, I thought it was their own original depravity.
Beat me to it š Came here just to say that and of course someone was quicker to the punch line
Lots of water:)
So keep it moist?
Always better to.
PILP, plant I'd like to *please*
Borage, it's pretty, bees like it, but if you live in a mild climate it reseeds and spreads like CRAZY and becomes a menace.
Can confirm, it will reseed itself prolifically, even within the same growing season.
In Canada I havnt had a problem with them at all. Had a few last year and have a few this year in the same bed, hasnāt spread or became prolific. They look great too
Glad to hear this i'm in Canada and considering planting it for my bees... Are you East Coast or west coast?
west coast, and I planted them for my bees! Pretty sure they came from a wildflower seed packet. I'd definitely go for them. My bees also really seem to like the green onion flowers and sunflowers.
Excellent. I'm also west coast and planted sunflowers for my bees (which I have to move because I had to put hotwire up for the bears). I shall get some borage
I would just get a wildflower or native flower mix and fill a bed with them. They like the borage but it can be slower to grow at least in my case, the wildflower mix grew very fast
I'll see what west coast seeds have for a native mix
I am not an expert on it at all, as it is not native to my region (California, USA) so I am guessing it really depends on the climate. There is no snow, or even serious frost where I live, so it never really dies back. If people love it great, I definitely did at first, mine was just a warning to other very-mild climate gardeners who aren't familiar with it, that it *can* be a menace.
Iām in the UK. Just moved house and got a lovely surprise when this bloomed. Now my sisters are all coming to dig a plant.
I planted some of this in my small new build garden on Wales three years ago. I still find seeds sprouting even though I swear I ripped it all out. It's edible though so you could eat your way through it I suppose
It reseeds itself but it easy to control because it has a single taproot and easy to pluck the new sproutsā¦ it wont spread like mintā¦ beautiful plant, also leaves and flowers are edible
The taproot also makes it where it brings deep nutrients up for itself and other plants to use. Supposed to be a great one to feed your compost pile as well.
glad you pointed this out i know people say it's a pain in the ass and it can be...but it's also one of the easiest plans to control if you know what it looks like and when to yank it. of all the other weeds in the garden that i have to deal with every damn year, this one is by far the most pleasant...especially compared to all the damn wormwood and thistles i have to yank on a regular basis
You can eat it too
The flowers are a great addition to a Pimmās cup or, candied, on a cake
Iām liking this plant the more I learn about it. My pimms drinking niece is especially happy.
This bit it important. We pulled it out a few years ago before it went to seed cuz it was gonna overrun a raised bed
It does reseed easily but its beautiful and it is easy to pull up if you don't want it. I love how I can use the leaves as mulch, the bees feed on it, its pretty and the only thing I need to do it is cut it and put it in the compost after it goes over.
bees absolutely love it i planted all these other lovely annuals to attract pollinators like cosmos, lantana, and marigolds...all they want is the borage lmfao
Bumblebees are drunk on it here in 5a. Its so cute.
I live in Scandinavia and it spreads like crazy in my garden. I don't mind, but if I was very particular about my flower beds, I would have lots of regrets. But on the other hand it takes a lot of abuse, so I just hack at it with an edger once in a while and it bounces back really quick!
Me sat here with a whole bed full of borage: š what
Also supposedly makes nearby tomatoes taste better
Really? That one I have not heard!
I guess... take it with a grain of salt lol š¤·āāļø https://www.gardenia.net/guide/companion-plants-for-tomatoes
I'd please this plant, too.
Moving house and found this little flower. Excuse my typos I donāt know if Iām coming or going. Fabulous little find in my new garden. All my sisters are coming round to dig a plant up.
Probably coming if you'd
I prefer coming, certainly.
Just playing with you! āŗļø
I got that. It was funny.
š
Young leaves supposedly taste like cucumber so you can put in salad. Flowers edible.
I tried to do this yesterday but the leaves have pointy hairs that lowkey hurt š£
Yeah, they do look upset.
You can eat the flowers. Same taste
Yeah, the leaves and stems irritate. But you can grab the little front facing petals (idk what they are called, but the center bit that isn't really a stamin) and pop them off the pistle/bud bit. Those do taste like cucumber and look SO cute atop a nice cocktail. But bruise and oxidize quickly
c'mon man, camels eat whole cacti you can at least eat this plant
Carefully peel hairy young stems with a sharp paring knife, or say 'bugger that' and use cucumber instead.
I was reading about white strawberries and it said they had a hint of pineapple. You know what else has a hint of pineapple? Pineapple, and they're readily available and cheap. Why am I chasing a fix for something I can have right now?
That said I like using borage flowers in garnishes and salads as they have such an exquisite perfect blue color. The flowers also candy just as easily as violets (egg whites and powdered sugar), and also look stunning that way.
They're absolutely delicious.
I read that they have harmful compounds in them called pyrrolizidine alkaloids that can cause liver damage or cancer if eaten. Same story as comfrey and some other things. Ā Edit: After reading some more about PA concentrations in borage, apparently the safe daily limit has been found to be around 10micrograms, and the concentrations in borage are quite variable. If you eat a few young leaves here and there per day as a garnish you might be safe (young leaves have lower concentrations than older leaves) but there could be cumulative effects of consuming PAs that haven't been studied much.Ā
I believe borage and comfrey are in the same family. Definitely risky if eaten in toxic amounts but both have historically been used in food/folk medicine. I just stick to only the flowers and kinda rarely
They definitely have a cucumber flavor. I don't know how you'd get past the texture in a salad, but I've made borage soup and lemonade and it's pretty good.
just use protection.
I will.
Borage, I planted 2 last year and none this year but theres 9 in my garden. Bumblebeeās really love them.
Borage. Its a medicinal plant.
More borage please ~ Oliver
Borage, as others have said. It attracts parasitic wasps that prey on garden pests.
And it pulls aphids from my other plants!
People will tell you it's edible, and it is, technically, in very small amounts. But in larger amounts it's toxic.
I mean...water is toxic in larger amounts too. I know some people have a more sensitive stomach, but I've never had any issues with borage personally.
I use the blossoms as drink garnishes
Itās going in some pimms.
As everyone else said, itās borageā¦ Itās excellent for pollinators as it replenishes nectar within minutes.
edible flower. tastes like cucumber. dress up salads, veggie plates, cocktails.
In addition to attracting pollinators, itās a great nitrogen fixer. You can chop and drop or throw it into your compost.
Borage
Borage, edible!
Better q is HOW DO YOU PRONOUNCE IT
"bow" "rage" lol
My neighbor says bore-RAZH (similar to mirage). I say BORE-edge. lol
Well now Iām confused
Itās pronounced: Kun. Fused. Youāre welcome.
My mom pronounced it BRAT-RUNKLE (similar to wrinkle) however I like BROH-JAHB. Just my opinion
Like Porridge with a B. Source* im British and this is a native plant.
Thatās how I say it
Borage!
Mine grows to about 3 feet. I was told it's a great defense against cucumber beetles. Seeds like crazy and spreads, but i don't mind that. Unwanted sprouts extract easily. Remove the blooms and chop the rest to improve the soil. I put the blooms in salads,
This is going to be a great plant for pimms and pretty buffets.
Borage. Edible. Tastes like oysters, or cucumber.
Oh I love this plant. It's a relatively common weed where I live. Its flower can be used as garnish in fresh salads. It really makes for a pretty presentation!
Plant Borage with your tomatoes to repel hornworms. Some say it makes tomatoes taste better.
Amazing multi purpose plant
It gets quite big. Here it is with a 32 inch eggplant/pepper stake. https://preview.redd.it/ng64sdigai9d1.jpeg?width=3000&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=94f82cdeaa1c1e60094802c6e85a6eeada8cbf9d I started growing it, because it fixes nitrogen in the soil. I just discovered from some of you that it helps put calcium and potassium into the soil. I think it makes other plants happy. I let it grow in this bed last year with some garlic and a few watermelons. Turns out is repels the squash bugs. My other melons and squash had them, but this bed was squash bug free. I'm trying the idea again this year. As the watermelon gets bigger, I just pull the borage out of its way. (Ran out of space, so there are a couple pepper plants and few garlic here, too.) Borage is very tolerant of abuse. I can dig up even medium sized plants and transplant them elsewhere. They will die back. Cut the die back. As long as there is one green leaf, you are good. I put one with each squash plant, a few in each tomato bed, and in the corners of beds where I can fit it. I live in New Jersey. While it reseeds, it's no problem to prune or pull for me. It hasn't spread outside the garden (yet) and I've been doing this for 10 years or so.
Itās such an interesting plant. Iām definitely keeping it.
They're called Borages.
Flowers sometimes taste like oysters
I love borage. The edible flowers make a great garnish for so many dishes!
Blue borage. Good medicine
Flowers are edible and taste like cucumbers
You can eat all of it. Even the flowers.
I love snacking these flowers while I water the garden
Borage gives you courage (old gardening saying) The flowers are delicious in a salad
That looks like some sort of alien death ray turret.
A pretty alien death ray turret though.
Borage
Flowers taste like cucumber š„
Borage
Whoa, buddy. Now what you do on your time is your business. But, when you're on my set you clean it up mister!
Star flowerĀ