Pollinator Strip: Lavender, borage attract bees herbs

Creating a dedicated pollinator strip with lavender and borage provides a continuous and highly attractive nectar source for bees. This combination works exceptionally well because borage offers an early, abundant, and quickly replenishing food supply, while lavender provides a long-lasting, aromatic beacon that draws bees throughout the peak summer months.

For success, select a site that receives at least six to eight hours of direct sunlight daily. Both lavender and borage thrive in full sun. The ideal location is a long, narrow bed, perhaps along a fence, walkway, or bordering a vegetable garden where the increased bee activity will directly benefit crop pollination.

Soil preparation is critical, particularly for the lavender. Lavender demands well-draining, slightly alkaline soil and will not tolerate "wet feet." If you have heavy clay, amend the area designated for lavender with coarse sand, pea gravel, or compost to improve drainage. Borage is far more adaptable and will grow in most soil types, but it appreciates the addition of some compost for fertility. Prepare the entire strip by loosening the soil to a depth of about 12 inches and removing all weeds.

When planting, treat the strip as two complementary zones. Lavender, a perennial, forms the permanent structure. Plant lavender starts in the spring after the last frost or in the early fall. Space English lavender varieties (Lavandula angustifolia) about 18-24 inches apart to ensure good air circulation, which helps prevent fungal issues. Dig a hole twice as wide as the root ball and just as deep. Settle the plant in, ensuring the crown is not buried, and water it in thoroughly.

Borage is an annual best grown from seed. Direct sow borage seeds into the prepared bed after all danger of frost has passed. Plant them about a quarter-inch deep. You can sow them in drifts in front of the lavender or in the gaps between the young lavender plants. Borage will grow quickly and fill these spaces within the first season. Once the seedlings are a few inches tall, thin them to stand about 12-18 inches apart. Borage readily self-seeds, so expect it to return in the same spot next year without any effort.

For maintenance, water the new lavender plants regularly during their first year to establish a deep root system. Once established, lavender is very drought-tolerant and requires infrequent, deep watering. Borage, in contrast, prefers more consistent moisture, especially during dry spells, to support its lush growth and continuous flower production. When watering the strip, give the borage area a bit more attention than the lavender.

Prune the lavender annually to maintain its shape and promote vigorous, flowering growth. The best time to do this is right after its main flush of flowers has faded. Cut back about one-third of the plant's growth, being careful not to cut into the old, woody base. For borage, you can pinch back the tips of young plants to encourage a bushier habit. Deadheading spent borage flowers will prolong the blooming period. However, allowing some flowers to go to seed ensures you will have volunteer plants the following spring.