The Dark Opal Purple basil grows 18 inches tall. However, you do need to get the balance right. Dark Opal Basil. Highly aromatic, purple basil can be steeped in vinegar or oil to add beautiful color to your dishes. I have already re-poted it because it was pot bound when I got it … It is somewhat tolerant of urban pollution. The buds, as well as the leaves, are edible. Dark Opal Basil produces purple/pink flowers in the summer months. Plants that are squashed together can increase the chance of them developing fungus. It produces small to medium sized, tender leaves, reaching an overall height of 30-45 cm (12 -18") tall. It's best to harvest when there are at least several sets of leaves that can be left to grow. The main difference is that this variety is ruffled, but it carries the similar color.

It prefers to grow in average to moist conditions, and shouldn't be allowed to dry out. With a beautiful dark purple color, this type of basil is as beautiful as it is tasty.

Although this species can cope with hot, humid or dry conditions, it prefers cooler, more temperate regions.

This is because the amount of oil the plant produces will be reduced.

If you have multiple plants in one container, make sure they're spaced far enough apart. Too much heat will mean the leaves will be more green rather than purple, and it can impact on the intensity of their flavor. Excellent contrast with green basil. It's best to do this in the morning to prevent overly wet conditions through the night. Fertilizing your dark opal basil regularly can help to ensure healthy growth. I have a new basil plant, a bigger one this time (I over harvested the last one). The key to success is to locate dark opal basil in a sheltered spot. Learn tips for creating your most beautiful (and bountiful) garden ever. In these conditions they’ll make the highest level of the aromatic oils that give them their taste and aroma. During the hotter summer months, make sure that the soil is kept moist. It tastes fabulous tossed with fettuccine with more sun-dried tomatoes or used in a cheese torta garnished with additional purple basil sprigs. Dark Opal Basil is slow to bolt and is normally a fairly low maintenance plant and quite easy to grow, as long as a level of basic care is …

Over-fertilization can impact on the intensity of the flavor, and it won't be as aromatic. Beautiful lilac flowers with dark red stems. Genovese Basil Dark opal basil is a cultivar of Ocimum basilicum (sweet basil), developed by John Scarchuk and Joseph Lent at the University of Connecticut in the 1950s. Although this variety might be a little slower to grow than other basil plants, it's dark leaves, intense sweet-spicy flavor and pretty pinkish flowers, which appear mid to late summer, make it worth the effort. The fragrant oval deep purple leaves which emerge burgundy in spring are usually harvested from early summer to early fall. It is often used as a 'filler' in the 'spiller-thriller-filler' container combination, providing a canvas of foliage against which the larger thriller plants stand out. Dark Opal Basil Dark Opal Basil is an annual herb that is commonly grown for its edible qualities. This'll encourage bushy rather than lanky and weak growth. 8.

Germination Seeds will sprout in 5-10 days. Dark Opal basil, meanwhile, was developed in 1950 in the University of Connecticut. The soil should be kept consistently moist during this period and, as the seedlings mature, they can be moved into a more sunny position. Dark opal basil needs warm condition for successful germination of seeds. Germination will usually take two to three weeks. But, even if you don't plan to harvest this basil, it looks lovely to look at when Spectacular as a garnish, in salads, or for adding color to basil vinegars. The leaves have a delicious taste.The leaves are most often used in the following ways:Dark Opal Basil will grow to be about 18 inches tall at maturity, with a spread of 12 inches.

Just ­because they aren’t green doesn’t mean that purple-leaved basils skimp on flavor; research conducted by Dr. James E. Simon at Purdue University in 1986 showed that the leaves of Dark Opal basil produced more ­fragrance- and ­flavor-producing essential oil than ­fourteen of the ­fifteen other basils tested. The foliage has a much stronger smell than more common green basil varieties, and this adds to their garden appeal as well. Very uniform, all … So this variety is another good one to add to a flower arrangement or to use on your dishes as a garnish.