About
Borago pygmaea is a herbaceous perennial that forms a rosette and has a relatively short lifespan. Its hairy, dark green leaves vary in shape from oval to lanceolate, while slender stems bear loose clusters of pale blue, bell-shaped flowers from early summer until autumn. The leaves are edible and can be used to enhance the flavor of various dishes and beverages.
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
- Moist but well-drained, Well-drained
- Aspect
- South-facing, East-facing, West-facing
- Exposure
- Exposed, Sheltered
- UK hardiness
- H5
Plant details
- Plant type
- Herbaceous Perennial
- Habit
- Clump forming
- Foliage
- Deciduous
- Height
- 0.5-1 metres
- Spread
- 0.5-1 metres
- Time to full height
- 1-2 years
- Suggested uses
- Cottage and informal garden, Wildlife gardens
- Native to
- Corsica, Sardinia
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