Is this Borage?

[Cheryl]

It reminds me a bit of borage but this plant is massive in comparison to the little plants I had in pots throughout the summer.

Here is the plant towards the end of the summer and this is its first year of growth



At the time I thought it might turn into a foxglove or possibly a mullien but over the last week/10 days it has had a growth spurt and has more leaves which are bristley and the stem is quite thick and covered in hairs. There is a flower spike




And when I had a look today there are secondary flower spikes showing. The leaves have no scent.

What do you think?

[Dutchess]

Yes. That's Borage, I'd say. It self seeds and grows everywhere

D.

[Hedera]

That's interesting: I've got some plants doing the same thing. They shouldn't flower till next year but have spurted in the late warm weather. Evening primroses are another one in full flower on this year's seedlings, also alkanet.

[The Woodman]

At the risk of upsetting the plantspersons on WaB, I'd go along with Borage.

I have a small area next to a hedge where Borage grows late in the season every year. This year is no exception. Hoverflies love the flowers.

[Cheryl]

Thank you all - I thought it probably was it was just that it's such a monster compared to the ones I had in pots. I'm guessing that because they were constrained to pots they couldn't put on as much growth whereas this one is in a raised bed?

[Hedera]

Free-seeded plants do grow to quite a size, up to 2feet plus. The flowers are so pretty, nice in drinks for summer or salads. Freeze some in ice cubes!

[Cheryl]

Originally Posted by Hedera

Free-seeded plants do grow to quite a size, up to 2feet plus. I didn't know that - thank you The flowers are so pretty, nice in drinks for summer or salads. Freeze some in ice cubes!

I shall do that

[Andestine]

Cheryl,

Just adding to the vote for Borage. There's some on the far side of the field at the bottom of my garden, and from my kitchen window I can see the blue flowers blazing across all that distance

The reputed herbal properties are interesting, especially those related to lifting the spirits. I've never experimented with the flowers, so if you or anyone else has, please let me know if it's true.

Cheers (with a Pimms ),

Andestine

Gerard says: 'Pliny calls it Euphrosinum, because it maketh a man merry and joyfull: which thing also the old verse concerning Borage doth testifie: Ego Borago - (I, Borage) Gaudia semper ago. - (Bring alwaies courage.)

Those of our time do use the flowers in sallads to exhilerate and make the mind glad. There be also many things made of these used everywhere for the comfort of the heart, for the driving away of sorrow and increasing the joy of the minde. The leaves and floures of Borage put into wine make men and women glad and merry and drive away all sadnesse, dulnesse and melancholy, as Dios corides and Pliny affirme. Syrup made of the floures of Borage comforteth the heart, purgeth melancholy and quieteth the phrenticke and lunaticke person. The leaves eaten raw ingender good bloud, especially in those that have been lately sicke.'

[Dutchess]

Indeed! I once bought a modest potted Borage from a garden centre. It has become an established resident on my garden, including the lawn! The bees adore it, so I have no complaints whatsoever...(although if anyone knows why it turns mildewy, or what I can do about it - I'd be happy to hear. It doesn't seem to hinder it's growth, it just looks a bit unsightly.)

D.