Alba (White)
Also known as: White borage
What's special about Alba (White)
Same plant with pure white flowers. Slightly less vigorous than blue.
Growing this variety
Alba (White) follows the same growing basics as Borage. Variety-specific maturity above; everything else below applies to the whole Borage family.
Germination
Spacing & depth
How to plant
Direct-sow into the final spot — borage forms a long taproot and hates being moved. Cover lightly to exclude light. Water in and keep evenly moist until sprouts appear. Succession-sow every 4–6 weeks for continuous bloom.
Grower's tip
Edible star-shaped flowers taste of cucumber — freeze in ice cubes. One of the best bee plants; a classic tomato and strawberry companion. Wear sleeves — leaves are prickly.
Woody plant facts
Soil preferences
Free-draining garden soil. Most shrubs fail from wet feet, not poor fertility.
5.5–7.0 for most; acid-lovers (rhododendron, blueberry) want 4.5–5.5.
Mulch a wide ring with compost or bark each spring; keep mulch off the stems.
Watering
Deep soak weekly for the first two seasons, then only in drought.
Slow soak over the root zone, not the crown.
Overwatered: yellowing leaves, dieback, sour soil. Underwatered: leaf scorch, early leaf drop, sparse bloom.
Prefers top-watering — Top-water only — deep slow soak at the drip line, never at the trunk. Bottom-watering is only for tree seedlings in nursery pots (shallow tray 15 min). Established trees always get watered from above onto the soil.
Temperature tolerance
Broad — hardy shrubs handle 35–90°F once established
Down to the species' rated zone minimum
Hardy once established; first-winter seedlings need a mulch collar or cold frame.
Special germination requirements
Most temperate tree seed needs cold stratification (30–120+ days at 34–41°F) — see each species entry for the exact time.
Container growing
Possible with the right cultivar
10–20 gal (38–76 L) for a long-term potted shrub
Dwarf and compact forms do fine in large pots; full-size shrubs eventually need the ground.
Detailed harvesting
Prune rather than harvest — take out dead, damaged and crossing stems, and cut spring bloomers right after flowering so you don't remove next year's buds.
Post-harvest storage & preservation
Not applicable — this is a permanent planting.
Culinary, medicinal & other uses
Structure, hedging, screening, wildlife cover and season-long flower or berry interest.
Medicinal or traditional uses are shared for interest only — this is not medical advice. Consult a qualified professional before using any plant medicinally.
Seed saving
Mostly insect-pollinated; seedlings vary from the parent.
Not practical. Named cultivars must be grown from cuttings, not seed.
Collect ripe seed or clean berries in fall, then cold-stratify before spring sowing.
Your zone's planting calendar
Pick your USDA hardiness zone and we'll estimate the key dates for borage in your area. These are regional averages — always check your own last-frost forecast before sowing.
My Alba (White) Borage notes
Alba (White) Borage seeds on hand
Track packets and loose seeds you already have. Private to your account.
Par level — leave at 0 for no alert. Anything below par shows on Seed Starting and your shopping list.
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