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Felder Rushing
Lamiaceae
OCIMUM 'African Blue'
African Blue Basil, Hybrid Basil
Big, beautiful ‘African Blue’ basil is a hybrid of Ocimum basilicum 'Dark Opal,' a purple-leafed sweet basil and Ocimum kilimandscharicum, camphor basil. It is grown as much for its lovely leaves as it is for cooking. The large leaves are purple when they first emerge and mature to dark, shiny green with purple veins and undersides. The fragrance and flavor is spicy with hints of camphor. The upright, bushy plants are large and ideal for sunny garden spots.
In summer basil produces spikes of lavender pink, two-lipped flowers. After bloom, the plants put fewer resources towards foliage production and more towards flower production. This results in smaller, stronger, more acrid tasting leaves. So, it is best to pick off the flower buds as they appear to keep plants from blooming. African Blue basil is sterile and does not produce seeds.
Satisfyingly easy to grow, basil requires full sun and fertile to average, well-drained soil. Grow it as a spring and summer annual or all year around where winters are frost-free and mild. Water regularly for good growth and harvest the leaves often to encourage the continued growth of tender shoots and leaves. This easy herb looks great in containers and mixed borders as well as vegetable and herb gardens. Basil is the perfect companion plant for tomatoes, so plant a few at the base of their cages or trellises.
12 - 1
9 - 11
A1, A2, A3, H1, H2, 1a, 1b, 2a, 2b, 3a, 3b, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24
Herb
Full Sun, Partial Sun
18"-36" / 45.7cm - 91.4cm
12"-36" / 30.5cm - 91.4cm
Indeterminate
Hybrid Origin
Neutral
Well Drained
Loam, Sand
Fast
Average Water
Oval/Rounded
Spring, Summer, Fall, Winter
Showy
Pink, Lavender
Purple
Green, Purple
Variegated
Yes
Single
No
Coarse
Glossy
Container, Edible, Herb / Vegetable, Mixed Border
Butterflies
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