One effective way to keep borage blooming is through regular deadheading. Deadheading refers to the process of removing spent blooms from the plant. By doing this, you are encouraging the plant to continue producing more flowers over an extended period of time. Deadheading helps redirect the plant’s energy from seed production back into flower production, resulting in a prolonged blooming season.
To deadhead borage, simply pinch or cut off the faded or wilted flowers at their base. It’s best to do this regularly, as soon as the flowers start to fade. By removing these spent blooms, you prevent the formation of seeds and signal to the plant that it needs to produce more flowers to ensure its reproductive success. Deadheading also helps maintain the plant’s overall appearance, as it prevents the formation of unsightly seed heads.
In addition to deadheading, another technique to keep borage blooming is to prune it back by about one-half in midsummer. This pruning helps rejuvenate the plant and stimulates the growth of new leaves. Borage has a tendency to become leggy and develop older, less productive foliage as the season progresses. By pruning it back, you encourage the growth of fresh, tender leaves that are ideal for harvesting in late summer or early fall.
When pruning borage, use clean and sharp pruning shears or scissors. Cut the stems back to about half of their original length, taking care not to remove too much foliage. This will promote new growth and encourage the plant to produce more flowers. It’s important to note that excessive pruning may delay flowering, so it’s best to stick to the one-half rule.
To sum up, to keep borage blooming:
1. Regularly deadhead the plants by removing spent blooms at their base. This redirects the plant’s energy into producing more flowers and extends the blooming period.
2. Prune back borage by about one-half in midsummer to promote the growth of fresh, tender leaves and encourage the plant to continue blooming. This helps prevent legginess and revitalizes the plant for a late summer harvest.
Remember to provide the plant with proper care, including adequate sunlight, well-draining soil, and regular watering, to ensure its overall health and blooming success. With these techniques and attention, you can enjoy a beautiful and abundant display of borage flowers throughout the growing season.
