An ode to Borage

You might start seeing all sorts of flowering annuals around our green sites in Bankside and (in my opinion) Borago officinalis known as common borage or starflower is the star of the show. Native to Syria and much of North Africa, the plant has been introduced throughout Europe and North America. Borage is an ancient edible herb which has been cultivated throughout history for uses in medicine and food from ancient Greeks to King Henry VII’s court.

Nicholas Culpeper was a renowned herbalist known for regulating herbal medicine in 1618 through the standardised Pharmacopoeia Londinensis. Culpeper noted that borage… ‘comforts the heart, cheers the spirit, drives away sadness and melancholy, they are rather laxative than binding; help swooning and heart qualms, breed special good blood; help consumptions, madness and such as are much weakened by sickness”. Although medicine has somewhat advanced from his suggestions many people still use the herbal properties of this tough, self-seeding annual – you may have seen the flowers used as edible decoration in summer Pimm’s, young leaves can be harvested for use in salads and borage oil is valued for its anti-inflammatory properties for skin.

Although we do not suggest harvesting this plant for medicinal uses without recommendation from a certified doctor, it is always good to understand the power of plants, even common ones that are sometimes considered as ‘weeds’.

As part of our commitment to biodiversity in Bankside we are ensuring that there is an abundance of nectar rich plants flowering in early spring right up to the late autumn months. Borage provides valuable nectar to emerging pollinators as it produces pollen and nectar prolifically for short and long-tongued bumblebees, honeybees, flies and other insects. Unlike other flowers that take around 24 hours to replenish nectar, Borage replenishes its nectar within 2 minutes ensuring a constant supply for Banksides busy bees.

Flowering from late April – September, keep an eye out for its distinctive clusters of star shaped flowers and bristly leaves. If one pops up in your garden unannounced, try leaving it as they are a fantastic companion plant for many crops such as brassicas, tomatoes, and legumes.