General Plant Information (Edit)
| Plant Habit: |
Herb/Forb
|
| Life cycle: |
Perennial
|
| Sun Requirements: |
Full Sun
Full Sun to Partial Shade
|
| Minimum cold hardiness: |
Zone 10a -1.1 °C (30 °F) to +1.7 °C (35 °F)
|
| Plant Height: |
2-3 feet |
| Plant Spread: |
2-3 feet |
| Leaves: |
Unusual foliage color
Fragrant
|
| Flowers: |
Showy
|
| Flower Color: |
Lavender
Mauve
|
| Bloom Size: |
Under 1"
|
| Flower Time: |
Late spring or early summer
Summer
Late summer or early fall
Fall
|
| Uses: |
Culinary Herb
|
| Edible Parts: |
Leaves
Flowers
|
| Eating Methods: |
Culinary Herb/Spice
Raw
Cooked
|
| Wildlife Attractant: |
Bees
Butterflies
|
| Resistances: |
Deer Resistant
Rabbit Resistant
|
| Propagation: Seeds: |
Will not come true from seed
Other info: This cultivar is sterile and does not form seeds
|
| Propagation: Other methods: |
Cuttings: Stem
Cuttings: Tip
|
| Containers: |
Suitable in 3 gallon or larger
|
| Parentage: |
Ocimum kilimandscharicum x Dark Opal |
- Ocimum kilimandscharicum X basilicum purpureum
Posted by
Ispahan (Chicago - Zone 6a) on Jul 4, 2012 5:32 PM concerning plant:
A very attractive and sterile ornamental basil that produces a profusion of lovely, purple tinged leaves and continuous large spires of blooms all season long. The flowers are beloved of pollinating insects of all kinds. It is such a joy to see so many native bees working this plant!
Posted by
Catmint20906 (PNW WA half hour south of Olympia - Zone 8a) on Aug 24, 2014 4:53 PM concerning plant:
'African Blue' is my favorite ornamental basil. I have grown it two seasons in a row now, and I intend to grow it next year as well. It grows in full sun to a good 3 feet high, bearing tall stalks of pink flowers against purple-veined leaves. 'African Blue' is a cross between Ocimum kilimandscharicum and Ocimum basilicum 'Dark Opal'. The pollinators love it. Its high camphor content (inherited from its East African parent, Ocimum kilimandscharicum, or camphor basil) makes it a less desirable culinary herb, but it is beautiful as an ornamental pollinator magnet.
Posted by
carlysuko (Oceanside, California. Sunset zone 24 - Zone 10a) on Oct 4, 2018 9:39 PM concerning plant:
This plant has performed exceptionally well for me. Which is no easy feat for any plant in my garden this year. I had mass casualties from squirrels, gophers, and spider mites. Yet my African Blue Basil looks perfect. It is a blooming machine and always looks healthy. The bees are very fond of it, which is great. I highly recommended this plant!
-
This is my favorite basil. Its flavor is a bit more mellow than sweet basil. I find it blends well with sweet basil when I make pesto, it provides a bit more depth. It's also a beautiful plant.
Plant Events from our members
| Catmint20906 |
On May 17, 2015 |
Bloomed |
| Catmint20906 |
On May 2, 2015 |
Obtained plant |
| carlysuko |
On April 30, 2018 |
Obtained plant
From La Costa Anderson's Nursery |
| Mielikki |
On March 25, 2023 |
Plant Ended (Removed, Died, Discarded, etc) |
| Mielikki |
On March 28, 2022 |
Transplanted |
| Mielikki |
On December 12, 2021 |
Obtained plant |
| paleohunter |
On April 11, 2022 |
Obtained plant |
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