Unless you frequent botanical gardens , it ’s very possible to have never regard , or hear , of borage . While borage is considered an herbaceous plant and is eatable , it is n’t ordinarily grown for crop and consumption . Thanks in part to its shiny blue and pinkish flowers , boreage is really useful in the home garden because it bring pollinators to the plants nearby .
As an avid gardener , I ’m always attend for ways to maximize my garden ’s productivity strategical companion planting is a great technique , and the tailwort plant can be an fantabulous companion for many crop . However , there are some crucial exceptions to be cognizant of when copulate Borago officinalis with other plants In this comprehensive guide , we ’ll look at what not to institute with borage and how to forfend poor companion combination .
An Overview of Borage Companion Planting
Also called starflower , tailwort is an yearly herb grow for its edible flower and foliage . It has some majuscule fellow traveler planting benefits including
Some of the best married person for borage admit tomato , squeeze , strawberry , and herb like Basil of Caesarea . Its vibrant blooms bring beneficial insects to the garden that can pollinate plant life and fair game on unwanted gadfly .
However , borage may compete for nutrient , light-headed , and space with some harvest plants . And its rearing , spreading ontogeny habit can overwhelm more ticklish plants . turn over these ingredient carefully when planning your companion planting is important .
What to Avoid Planting With Borage
When used correctly , Borago officinalis make an excellent fellow traveller . But there are a few type of plants that do n’t pair well with borage :
1. Delicate Herbs
Delicate herbs with subtle tang like parsley , Anthriscus cereifolium , and coriander can be overwhelmed by the spreading , prickly borage plant . Borage ’s thick leafage and halt can parry light and crowd out lower - growing herb . The small seeds of dill and fennel may also struggle to germinate and grow around borage .
2. Short Root Vegetables
Root crop like cultivated carrot , radishes , and beets grow best when right away sow . But they can have difficulty growing through the dense foliage and spiny stems of tailwort . The root ontogenesis of these plants suffers when crowded and shaded by heavy companions .
3. Onions and Garlic
Alliums like onion plant , garlic , leeks , and Allium schoenoprasum thrive when provided with full sun . Borage will compete for sunshine , reducing bulb development . Borage may also harbor pest like Allium cepa maggots . Garlic and other Allium are best located far from borage plants .
4. Corn and Grains
Tall - growing grains and corn can become top heavy and prone to blowing over if grown near straggle , fan out borage flora . The all-inclusive ancestor systems of corn and grains also compete with tailwort for nutrients and moisture .
5. Vining Crops
Low - raise vines like melon , pumpkins , and cucumbers can be suppress by prickly borage foliage covering their vine . The vining drug abuse of these plants are also very unlike from the marvellous , upright increase of borage . brightness level and outer space contest will restrain productivity .
6. Leafy Greens
Leafy greens prefer systematically moist soil and heavy feeding . Water and nutritive demand for crops like cabbage , spinach , and kale will compete with water - eff borage . tight - growing borage can also outpace and shadow out lower - produce putting surface .
7. Legumes
Nitrogen - fixation legumes do n’t pair well with Borago officinalis . Beans , peas , lentil , and soya bean forge symbiotic family relationship with grime bacterium to draw atomic number 7 from the air into the soil . Borage competes with legumes for existing soil N rather of augmenting it .
thoughtprocess How to Plan Your Borage Companion Planting
Group Borago officinalis near works it benefit , like tomatoes , peppers , brinjal , and brassicas . Keep at least 12 ” between flora .
Avoid interplanting borage with herbaceous plant , base crop , onions , greens , legume , Indian corn , grain , or vines .
Plant tailwort on the due north side of garden beds so it does n’t shade off lower plants .
habituate borage as a border or background plant to pull pollinators without competing .
For modest spaces , locoweed and trellis borage to moderate its spread .
withdraw borage plants after they blossom to forestall overcrowd fertile crops .
With some thoughtful preparation , you could leverage tailwort ’s pestilence - repelling powers while avoiding competition with more delicate industrial plant . ante up tightlipped attention to the expected ripe size , growth habit , and resourcefulness indigence of both Borago officinalis and companion plant . This will create a symbiotic planting scheme that enable everything to thrive !
Troubleshooting Borage Companion Planting Problems
Even with the best laid plans , you may run into issues when companion gardening with borage :
Leggy, Weak Plants
If nearby plants become spindly and fight to grow , tailwort is likely shading them . rationalise back borage , trellis it , or transplant it to a new spot .
Wilting Leaves
Signs of droop in adjacent works can signal that borage is hogging body of water resources . Water more diligently in dry period to concentrate competition .
Lack of Germination
Borage ’s thick foliage and solution system can immobilize seeds from germinate . Gently move Borago officinalis back and re - sow seeds of strangled plants .
Flopping Vines
Low - growing vine that flop rather of climbing may be blocked by tailwort . Add treillage and prune Borago officinalis so vines get needed support .
Few Blooms
Sparse anthesis can intend tailwort is suppress pollinator access , stealing nutrients , or push nearby blossoming plant . Relocate or prune tailwort .
With a bit of reflection and quick intervention , you’re able to keep your Borago officinalis companion planting in balance ! Adjust emplacement and pruning as needed to let all plants to thrive .
The Benefits of Proper Borage Companion Pairing
While Borago officinalis has some antic benefits as a companion plant , it also has the potential difference to become a yobbo in the garden if not properly managed . Being aware of its likely drawbacks allows you to avoid undesirable pairings .
With smart companion planting techniques , you may :
further productivity by play to each flora ’s lastingness .
Deter pests by interplanting pesterer - repelling plants like borage .
meliorate relish and growth by facilitating beneficial interaction .
keep up space , weewee , and nutrient through symbiotic sexual union .
A thoughtfully designed garden considers both the synergistic and antagonistic relationships between plant . quash piteous companion duad for borage sets your garden up for the healthiest , most abundant harvest !
Plant Borage with these Great Vegetables, Herbs, and Flowers
Plant squash with Borago officinalis — — — — — — — — -
flora strawberries with borage — — — — — — — — -
industrial plant tomatoes with borage — — — — — — — — -
industrial plant courgette with tailwort — — — — — — — — -
Borage Antagonists (do NOT plant Borage with these)
So you want to engraft tailwort in your garden ? Our enquiry on tailwort says you’re able to plant anything nearby !
This Plant Does EVERYTHING | Borage Growing Guide
What should not be planted with tailwort ?
Here ’s what should not be planted with Borago officinalis : Fennel ( Foeniculum vulgare ) is a perennial herb that does n’t have many friends . In fact , the only plant that can probably survive next to fennel is dill . This is because fennel is known to stunt the growth of any plant you add to the same garden seam .
Is borage a salutary fellow traveler plant ?
Using borage ( Borago officinalis ) as a associate plant is a full pick . Plants that produce well with borage include : The tailwort companion plant is pronounce to repel tomato worms and cabbage worms because borage attracts beneficial insects , such as bee and tiny wasp . As we know these are great plant pollinator , they also repel garden pest .
What plants grow well with tailwort ?
Borage welfare from the atomic number 7 edible bean and pea plant put into the soil . The fifteen best associate plants for tailwort are St. Basil the Great , bean , gelt , cucumber , mad apple , grape , marigolds , melons , peas , peppers , pumpkins , radishes , strawberries , squeeze , and tomatoes . Do not implant borage near white potato , fennel , or black walnut tree Sir Herbert Beerbohm Tree .
Can tailwort grow together ?
you’re able to arise many things together , especially in the spring . Borage is an easy works to grow together with any other flora . Borage has a lot of uses ; it ’s a great addition to a home . As a houseplant , it grows well indoors . Borage associate planting can be used to revolt pests , attract good dirt ball , or add flavor .
