Beautiful lilac flowers with dark red stems. Excellent contrast with green basil. Spectacular as a garnish, in salads, or for adding color to basil vinegars. The leaves have a clove-like spiciness flavor which is a little too strong for pesto but great for almost any basil dish, and it's especially good for vinegars and oils.
HOW TO GROW DARK OPAL BASIL
- Latin Name: Ocimum basilicum
- Annual
- Days to Maturity: 65 Days
- Hardiness Zone: 9-11
- Soil: Ph 5.5- 7.5
- Temperature: Warmer
- Light Preference: Full sun or partial shade
- Planting:
- Depth: 1/4"
- Plant Space: 4-8"
- Row Spacing: 18"
- Pests/disease: Slugs, aphids, Japanese beetles
- Seed Count:
- 1 oz- Approximately 17,900 seeds
- 4 oz- Approximately 71,600 seeds
-
1 lb - Approximately 286,400 seeds
Sow seeds outdoors when soil is warm and temperature does not drop below 65°F. Can also be started indoors 4-6 weeks before planting out. Make successive sowings for continuous summer supplies. Pinch back flower stalks as they appear to keep plants from bolting. Prefers rich well-drained soil.