topic Re: African blue basil in Garden

African blue basil

PilatesLover — Mon, 16 Jul 2018 18:09:25 GMT

I have been planting African blue basil every summer for years.

It is a beautiful and carefree annual - all it asks for is water and occasional feeding. From a small basil seedling it grows to about two and a half feet tall and can reach the same in width. Bees and butterflies love it.

It is an ornamental only, and you don't need to pinch back the blossoms. I love how it sways and trembles in the breeze. I think a whole row of them would make a nice summer border when they fill out.

Re: African blue basil

butterfly123 — Mon, 16 Jul 2018 22:43:45 GMT

@PilatesLover

Thank you for planting to attract bees and butterflies.

Re: African blue basil

BirkiLady — Tue, 17 Jul 2018 00:49:19 GMT

@PilatesLover I always plant Purple Basil. It's a beautiful plant and it delicious (and attractive) in meals. The foliage is dark purple. I almost expected yours to have blue leaves!

Re: African blue basil

PilatesLover — Thu, 19 Jul 2018 15:36:51 GMT

@BirkiLady I don't know why they call it "blue basi." It's deep green with purple.

I have the purple basils too - regular and ruffles. They are also beautiful but do not get as large.