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Ocimum basilicum var. purpurascens 'Purple Ruffles'

Image of Ocimum basilicum var. purpurascens 'Purple Ruffles'

Felder Rushing

Family

Lamiaceae

Botanical Name

Ocimum basilicum var. purpurascens 'Purple Ruffles'

Plant Common Name

Purple Basil, Red Ruffles Basil

General Description

Super ruffled, deep purple leaves give this compact purple basil a designer look, making it well-suited for vegetable and flower gardens alike. The popular ‘Purple Ruffles’ was an All-American Selections winner in 1987. Its leaves are strongly flavored and spicy with elements of clove and cinnamon. Like many purple-leaved basils, it may loose some of its purple leaf color in very hot weather, after flowering or if planted in too little sun.

For many, basil is the perfect culinary herb. It is a bushy annual, or short-lived evergreen perennial, which originates from Africa and Asia. As summer warms up, purple basil produces spikes of two-lipped, lavender purple flowers. After blooming, plants put fewer resources towards foliage production and more towards flowers and seeds. This results in smaller, stronger, more acrid tasting leaves. Flowering also tends to diminish the foliar color of purple-leaved selections, 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 in cooler zones and a year-round perennial in warmer locations. Water regularly for good growth and harvest the leaves often to encourage the continued growth of tender shoots and leaves. Purple basil is a beautiful choice for kitchen gardens, containers and flower borders. It is also 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

    10"-18" / 25.4cm - 45.7cm

  • Width

    10"-18" / 25.4cm - 45.7cm

  • Bloom Time

    Indeterminate

  • Native To

    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

    Spring, Summer, Fall, Winter

Ornamental Features

  • Flower Interest

    Showy

  • Flower Color

    Purple, Light Pink, Lavender

  • Fruit Color

    Tan

  • Foliage Color (Spring)

    Green, Purple, Dark Green

  • Foliage Color (Summer)

    Green, Purple, Dark Green

  • Foliage Color (Fall)

    Green, Purple

  • Foliage Color (Winter)

    Green, Purple

  • Fragrant Flowers

    No

  • 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

    Yes

  • Showy Bark

    No

Special Characteristics

  • Usage

    Bedding Plant, Container, Edible, Herb / Vegetable, Mixed Border

  • Sharp or Has Thorns

    No

  • Invasive

    No

  • Attracts

    Butterflies

  • Self-Sowing

    Yes