basil, red

varieties of red basil – red rubin, amethyst, dark opal, purple ruffles
latin name: ocimum basilicum

zone:  Z10
type: annual
light: full sun
height: 12-18” (30-45 cm)

description:  Purple Genovese-type basil which has dark purplish-bronze foliage.   Great in containers or garden beds as an ornamental plant.  Same great flavour as the Genovese basil.  Excellent for seasoning and for basil vinegar which turn a beautiful red color.

harvest:  Pick leaves throughout the growing season to use fresh or dry.  Cut off flower heads to encourage continued new growth throughout the summer.  Never harvest more than 1/3 of the plant at a time.  Also, the more you harvest, the more your plant will produce.    

culinary notes:  Great basil for colorful garnish.  Add fresh torn leaves to salads, and also used to flavour tomato and tomato-based dishes, pasta sauces (notably pesto), vegetables (especially beans, peppers and eggplants), soups and herb oils and vinegars.  The flavour may be ruined if it cooks for too long.  

extra tip:  In our northern climate basil is very sensitive to over watering and colder nights.  It is best potted in pots which can be moved indoors during late spring when the night temperatures are still below 10 degrees Celsius.  Basil can be planted in the gardens once the night temperatures rise above 10 degrees Celsius.