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OCIMUM basilicum 'Franchi Italiano Classico'

Image of Ocimum basilicum 'Franchi Italiano Classico'

Jessie Keith

Family

Lamiaceae

Botanical Name

OCIMUM basilicum 'Franchi Italiano Classico'

Plant Common Name

Basil

Special Notice

This entry has yet to be reviewed and approved by L2G editors.

General Description

For many, basil is the perfect culinary herb. It is a bushy annual, or short-lived perennial, that originates from Africa and Asia. As summer warms up, it produces spikes of two-lipped, white flowers. After flowering, plants put fewer resources towards foliage production and more towards flowers and seeds. This results in smaller, stronger, more acrid tasting leaves. So, it is best to pick off buds as they appear to keep plants from blooming.

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.

Characteristics

  • AHS Heat Zone

    11 - 1

  • USDA Hardiness Zone

    9 - 11

  • Sunset Zone

    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

  • Plant Type

    Herb

  • Sun Exposure

    Full Sun

  • Height

    6"-28" / 15.2cm - 71.1cm

  • Width

    6"-24" / 15.2cm - 61.0cm

  • Bloom Time

    Early Summer, Summer, Late Summer, Early Fall

  • Native To

    Europe, Middle Africa, Southern Africa, Southern Asia, Southeastern Asia

Growing Conditions

  • Soil pH

    Neutral

  • Soil Drainage

    Well Drained

  • Soil type

    Loam, Sand

  • Growth Rate

    Very Fast

  • Water Requirements

    Average Water

  • Habit

    Clump-Forming

  • Seasonal Interest

    Summer, Fall

Ornamental Features

  • Flower Interest

    Showy

  • Flower Color

    White, Light Pink, Lavender

  • Foliage Color (Spring)

    Green, Purple, Bronze

  • Foliage Color (Summer)

    Green, Purple, Bronze

  • Foliage Color (Fall)

    Green, Purple, Bronze

  • Fragrant Flowers

    Yes

  • Fragrant Fruit

    Yes

  • Fragrant Foliage

    Yes

  • Bark or Stem Fragrant

    Yes

  • Flower Petal Number

    Single

  • Repeat Bloomer

    Yes

  • Showy Fruit

    No

  • Edible Fruit

    No

  • Showy Foliage

    Yes

  • Foliage Texture

    Medium

  • Evergreen

    No

  • Showy Bark

    No

Special Characteristics

  • Usage

    Container, Edible, Herb / Vegetable, Mixed Border

  • Sharp or Has Thorns

    No

  • Invasive

    No

  • Attracts

    Butterflies

  • Self-Sowing

    Yes