This exciting and nutritious newcomer is mostly grown as an ornamental herb due to the intensity of its flavour. Plants are much-prized for their showy leaves, with deep purple-red veining, and their eye-catching magenta flower spikes held on purple stems from June to August. Flowers have a strong, camphor-like aroma and leaves themselves are crisp with an earthy, musk, clove and menthol flavour. A cross between an East African camphor basil and another basil cultivar, plants are sterile so do not produce seed. As a consequence, they flower for much longer and add their bright cheery colour to any sunny spot in the garden whilst pulling in pollinators for a feast. Although all parts of the plant are edible, we recommend you use with caution due to the intensity of fragrance and flavour. Plant Ocimum African Blue in well-drained soil of any type except loam and chalk, which benefits from full sun, reaching a height and spread of 75cm. A tender perennial which is often grown as annual and needs protection in a frost-free environment over winter.
Flower and Foliage Months
Mar
Apr
May
Jun
Jul
Aug
Sep
Oct
Foliage Month
Flowering Month