Description ‘Bill Archer’ is a variegated strain of the herb borage (Borago officinalis) with showy, cream-splashed foliage. The amount and brightness of the leaf markings varies greatly from plant to plant, and even on one plant, depending on the temperature and the stage of growth. The edible flowers are the usual brilliant blue of common borage, on plants that generally reach 12 to 18 inches tall. Full sun to light shade. Annual. Collected in late July and early August 2025. Each packet contains at least 10 seeds. Why so few? I used to think that this strain simply didn’t produce many viable seeds. I finally realized that ants carry off nearly all of the seeds before I can gather them, even if I check the plants frequently. After doing a bit of research, I discovered that borage seeds have a fleshy appendage called an elaiosome, which is high in fats and nutrients. Ants carry the seeds back to their nests, eat the elaisomes, and then discard the seeds. This process of seed dispersal is known as myrmecochory, or myrmecochorous dispersal. Isn’t that cool? It makes gathering the seeds challenging for us, but I encourage you to try collecting from your own plants and passing them along to friends or seed exchanges so this beautiful strain does not get lost. I have tried bagging the plants to catch the seeds before they drop, but then the bees can’t get to the flowers to pollinate them. Because the supply of these seeds is so small, there is a limit of one packet per customer this year. Please read the germination information as well before ordering. Shipping to U.S. addresses only.
