Provence Art and Antiques
Mini Purple Basil
Name Mini Purple Basil
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Botanical Name Ocimum basilicum
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Family Lamiaceae
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Water When the top inch of soil is dry
Sun Full sun - Part Shade in hot weather & avoid afternoon sun
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Soil Medium rich; well drained
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Height 8-9"
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Width 9-10"
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Space 9-10"
Price
4" pots: $2.20
6" pots: $3.50
1 Gallon Root Pouch: 5.00
Clay pots and planters: Prices vary
Description
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Compact variety with purple leaves and spicy flavor
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Great for pots and sunny windowsills
Will Tolerate &
Keeping in Going
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Warm weather
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Flourishes as a container plant
Won't Tolerate
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Temperatures below 45 degrees F
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May not survive in full sun in extremely hot weather. Monitor for optimum placement in your garden
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Water logged soil
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Cutting into the woody part of stem
History
&
Points of Interest
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Basil is originally from India
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Historically, there have been many traditions and superstitions surrounding basil. Those native to India held basil as a sacred herb, yet the Romans and Greeks believed it to be the courier of hardship. In Crete, it represented unrequited love, but in other European cultures it represented the acceptance of love.
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Grow close to tomatoes; it repels insects that feed on those plants
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Attracts bees and butterflies
Uses: Medicinal, culinary and aromatic.
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Medicinal: Fresh leaves can be rubbed on insect bites to relieve itching, made into cough syrups (with honey) for colds, inhaled steam from leaves can be used as a decongestant, essential oil makes an insect repellant
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Culinary: Excellent paired with tomatoes and eggplant. Add leaves towards the end of the cooking process to preserve the flavor.