Borago officinalis 'Alba'
(White Borage)
Family - Boraginaceae
Category - Annual
Season of Interest - Spring, Summer, Autumn
Hardiness - H5
Height - 60cm
Width - 45cm
Location - The White Garden
Description: An upright, branching annual. Grey-green to mid-green leaves are oblong to oval in shape with wavy margins. The leaves and stems are covered in coarse, bristly hairs. Pretty, star-shaped flowers are pure white and downward-facing. At the centre of each Bloom is a cluster of dark stamens that are fused into a cone. The flowers are prolific and held in branching Cymes. The flowers are produced through the summer into the autumn and are very attractive to pollinating insects. Historically, the leaves were used for medicinal purposes (such as treating jaundice), but today it is usually only the flowers that are used as a culinary garnish.
Flower:
White star-shaped flowers are downward-facing and held in branching cymes. At the centre of each bloom is a dark staminal cone. The flowers are produced from June through September.
Flower colour: White
Flower shape: Star-shaped flowers in cymes
Flowering time: June, July, August, September
Foliage:
Grey-green to mid-green leaves are oblong to oval in shape and have undulating margins. The foliage is covered in bristly hairs. The leaves are held at the base of the plant and are Alternately arranged up the stems.
Foliage Senescence: Deciduous
Foliage Shape: Oblong to oval
Propagation:
Seed.
Cultivation:
Best in full sun to partial shade in reasonably fertile soil that is well-drained.