About
Borago officinalis 'Alba' is a robust, upright annual that develops a branching form. Its leaves are hairy and range from oval to lance-shaped, exhibiting a dark grey to green hue. From mid-summer until autumn, it produces star-shaped white flowers that emerge on hollow stems.
About the genus
Borago species can be classified as either annuals or perennials, characterized by their rough, hairy stems and uncomplicated leaves. They produce branched clusters of blue blooms.
Growing conditions
- Sunlight
- Full sun, Partial shade
- Soil type
- Chalk, Clay, Loam, Sand
- Soil pH
- Acid, Alkaline, Neutral
- Soil moisture
- Well-drained
- Aspect
- West-facing, South-facing, East-facing
- Exposure
- Exposed, Sheltered
- UK hardiness
- H5
Plant details
- Plant type
- Herbaceous Perennial
- Habit
- Clump forming, Columnar upright
- Foliage
- Deciduous
- Height
- 0.5-1 metres
- Spread
- 0.1-0.5 metres
- Time to full height
- 1 year
- Suggested uses
- Cottage and informal garden, Wildlife gardens, Wildflower meadow
Care notes
- Cultivation
- Easy to grow in any reasonably drained soil in sun or partial shade. Dislikes transplanting
- Pruning
- Leave to self-seed after flowering
- Propagation
- Propagate by seed
- Pest resistance
- May be susceptible to slugs and leaf-mining flies
- Disease resistance
- May be susceptible to powdery mildews