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Jesse Saylor
Lamiaceae
Ocimum basilicum var. purpurascens
Purple Basil
Lovely purple leaves cover these bushy herbs throughout the growing season. Purple-leaved basils are grown for both the beauty and flavor of their jewel-toned leaves. Different cultivars come in a variety of purple colors from dark purple to burgundy and bronzy purple. Height and habit also varies from cultivar to cultivar, some are tall and upright, while others are bushy and short. Most have strong, spicy leaves that are best used in cooked sauces and dishes. They also make an attractive addition to herbed vinegar.
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, purple basil produces spikes of two-lipped, pale lavender or purple 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. 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.
There are many cultivars to choose from, some with better color than others. Many loose their purple leaf color in very hot weather, after flowering or if planted in too little sun. Some of the better purple forms include 'Dark Opal' and 'Red Rubin.'
11 - 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
10"-28" / 25.4cm - 71.1cm
10"-24" / 25.4cm - 61.0cm
Indeterminate
Middle Africa, Southern Africa, Southern Asia, Southeastern Asia
Neutral
Well Drained
Loam, Sand
Very Fast
Average Water
Clump-Forming
Spring, Summer, Fall, Winter
Showy
Purple, Light Pink, Lavender
Tan
Purple, Dark Green, Burgundy, Bronze
Yes
Single
No
Medium
Bedding Plant, Container, Edible, Herb / Vegetable, Mixed Border
Butterflies
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