Purple basil is a striking natural variety of green basil. Unlike Thai basil or cinnamon basil, it does not so much stand out by a different taste as by the color of its leaves. With its vibrant foliage, purple basil is a unique addition to any herb garden. The best way to use purple basil in the kitchen is as a garnish for dishes, rather than processing it for pesto or cooking with it, as the color is the most distinct when the leaves are fresh. What Is Purple Basil? Purple variations of Ocimum basilicum range in color from light red to deep purple. The varieties of purple basil offered by nurseries and seed companies today resulted from extensive breeding of purple basil varieties over many years. Purple basil tends to crossbreed and despite plant breeders’ best efforts, the desirable genetic traits of basil, namely the leaf color, are often unstable and get lost over time. Be prepared to see some variation in the plants, even in those from the same seed packet. 8 Varieties of Purple Basil Purple basils vary in height, leaf color and shape, and intensity of aroma. Some types are open-pollinated, which means that you can collect the seeds, and others are hybrids (marked as F1 in seed catalogs). The seeds from those plants are not worth saving because they won’t produce plants that are true to the parent. Varieties of purple basil include: ‘Dark Opal’ (12-18 inches tall) is a popular cultivar that has been around for a long time—it was an All-American Selection (AAS) winner in 1962. It has violet-purple leaves with a hint of licorice. The flowers are pink. In university trials, it has shown resistance to downy mildew. ‘Purple Ruffles’ (18-24 inches tall) stands out by its large, glossy, dark purple leaves that are ruffled and fringed. This is the second purple basil that became an All-America Selection winner though it does not have the same assertive anise fragrance as ‘Dark Opal’. The flowers are light lavender with a dark fuchsia throat. ‘Red Rubin’ (18-20 in. tall) is a newer, improved version of ‘Dark Opal’ with more uniformly colored leaves. The burgundy-red leaves have a traditional sweet basil flavor and aroma. The flowers are a beautiful lavender-purple color. ‘Amethyst’ (16-20 inches tall) is the darkest purple basil variety available with almost black stems and foliage. The leaves are turned downwards and have an intense basil flavor. The flowers are purple. It is also available as the cultivar ‘Amethyst Improved’. ‘Prospera Red’ (18-24 in. tall) features large (3-inch), gently cupped dark purple leaves similar to ‘Amethyst’ with a flavor of Genovese basil. The plant has an upright growth habit. It is a hybrid with resistance to downy mildew and Fusarium wilt. ‘Deep Purple’ (12-18 in. tall) has vibrant dark purple leaves with sweet basil flavor and a low rate of green off-foliage. Its uniform, upright growth habit makes it a favorite for containers. ‘Purple Ball’ (12 in. tall) is ideal for small spaces and containers with its compact, tidy, round growth habit. It forms a dense ball of small, purple-plum leaves that are fragrant and aromatic. ‘Rosie’ (12-18 in.) grows strong, upright stems, which makes it easy to harvest and ideal for bouquets it’s especially pretty with its tall lavender flower spikes. The leaves have an intense dark purple-red color with a mild and aromatic basil flavor. ‘Rosie’ has no to little green off-foliage. How to Grow Purple Basil Growing purple basis is very similar to taking care of green basil, whether you plant it in your garden or in pots (and if you have a sunny window, you can even grow it indoors). Since purple basil comes in different heights, make sure to give your plants sufficient space. Crowded conditions lead to insect and disease issues such as aphids and powdery mildew. If you start purple basil from seed, you will need to thin out the seedlings. The seed package will specify the proper spacing for the variety. Light Purple basil needs six to eight hours of full sun every day. Ample sunlight not only ensures that the leaves will be purple but also healthier, stronger plants with fewer disease problems. Soil The soil for purple basil should be moist, rich, and well-draining. If the soil is lacking these qualities, amend it with compost before planting. Organic matter not only adds nutrients but also helps to retain soil moisture. Water Keeping your purple basil well-watered at all times is key—it is not an herb that tolerates drought. Water slowly but deeply in the absence of rain whenever the top inch of soil feels dry. Use mulch around the plant base to keep moisture in. Temperature and Humidity Like green basil, purple basil needs heat to thrive. Don't plant it until the daytime temperatures remain in the 70s and nighttime temperatures are above 50°F. Basil is very sensitive to cold, which blackens its leaves. Fertilizer Unless you are growing purple basil purely as an ornamental and don’t cut it regularly, you need to fertilize the plant frequently. Use an organic slow-release vegetable fertilizer and scatter the granules around the plant base, avoiding the stem. For faster results, feed it with a liquid organic fertilizer such as fish emulsion. Follow the label directions for the frequency of applications and amounts. Harvesting You can start harvesting basil leaves as soon as the plants reach 6 to 8 inches in height. Pick the leaves regularly to keep the foliage growing. Always start harvesting basil leaves from the top of the plant and not the bottom. The flowers of purple basil are edible too. In addition to using them as a garnish, they also make a gorgeous magenta-colored vinegar.

Are you looking to grow a new and exciting vegetable in your garden this year? Try growing rapini broccoli rabe and discover why European gardeners love it so much. In this article, plant expert Matt Dursum covers how to plant, grow, and care for this fantastic vegetable. Rapini broccoli rabe is a frost-tolerant member of the Brassicaceae family of plants. It produces tender leaves, stems, and flowers that are wonderful in a variety of dishes. Try it in stir-fries, It resembles a small broccoli, with foliage that resembles mustard greens. It has a soft, lightly peppery flavor with a hint of bitterness. Because of its versatility, you’ll find it on fine dining menus and in home kitchens around the world. Besides being delicious, it’s incredibly easy to grow. It thrives in a variety of climates and requires very little maintenance. Even if you’re a novice gardener, you can get it to thrive in your garden. Let’s dive in below to learn how to grow and care for this wonderful vegetable. What Is It? Rapini broccoli rabe is a biennial vegetable in the Brassica genus. It’s originally from Europe, where it’s a staple green in many cuisines. In Italy, it’s one of the most popular edible greens, used in sauteed dishes, sauces, and salads. There are many cultivars throughout Europe, especially in Southern Italy. The plant is a relative of the turnip and is entirely edible. It loves cool weather climates and grows remarkably well in raised beds and containers. You can even get it to grow in your kitchen, as long as it has plenty of light. Grow it as a main crop in your garden beds or containers. Or, try it as an edible ground cover for other plants that prefer slightly basic soil. Characteristics Some varieties of this vegetable grow to up to 1 foot. It puts on tons of tender edible stems and juicy leaves and flowers that are full of flavor. When it matures, it looks like a beautiful mustard green, with yellow flowers that attract pollinators. In the fall, the plant will complete its growing cycle and produce seed pods after its blooms are done. The plant will die back as soon as winter temperatures arrive. It usually takes around 45 days to mature. It has similar growing seasons and climate preferences to broccoli. You can find it in markets from spring to fall in most parts of the US. Native Area Rapini’s origins likely date back thousands of years in Eurasia. Several varieties and cultivars were bred in Europe and it became a staple vegetable around the Mediterranean. It’s especially common in Italy, Spain, and Portugal. Italian immigrants likely brought the plant to the US. It is still a key ingredient in Italian American cuisine. Today, you can find it grown around the world and used in a huge variety of cuisines. Planting This wonderful leafy green works remarkably in containers or raised beds. It’s very easy to grow and requires very little maintenance. Try growing it successively for bountiful harvests throughout the growing season. Plant it near other edible greens like broccoli and turnips for a productive edible garden. I love growing rapini in my victory garden. It’s a unique and versatile vegetable that adds some unique flavors and extra nutrition to a variety of dishes. How to Grow Growing this Mediterranean green is super easy, even for novice gardeners. All you need is the right soil, consistent light and water, and basic maintenance. This is one reason why this Italian staple is such a perfect fit for vegetable gardens. Maintenance If you’re a novice gardener, you’ll have no problem maintaining rapini broccoli rabe. Monitor your beds and containers for weeds. This plant doesn’t like competition and prefers having plenty of space to grow. Once your plants are mature, harvest as many greens and florets as you can.

Agertum’s easy-going nature and unique blooms make it an excellent addition to cut flower gardens, flower boxes, and planters. If you want to grow it at home, join flower farmer Briana Yablonski to learn planting and care tips. If you’re looking for a flower that serves a supporting role in the garden and floral studio, ageratum is one of your best choices. These easy-to-care-for annuals produce clusters of blooms topped with tufts of silk-like ray flowers that give a unique and soft look. While they won’t steal the spotlight in the garden, they add a soft texture and subtle pop of color. Most of the flowers are blue, but you can also find varieties in shades of pink, purple, and white. The plants continue to pump out new blooms for multiple months, providing long-lasting color. Plus, the blooms hold up well when cut and attract pollinators of all kinds. What Is It? Ageratum goes by several names, including floss flower, blue mist flower, and bluemink. It’s an annual plant that’s native to Central America but widely grown throughout the world as an ornamental. In some locations, it’s escaped cultivation and become a nuisance plant. You can find multiple varieties of Ageratum houstonianum that vary in height and flower color. Some of these cultivars work well as short bedding plants, and others produce long stems that make them suitable options for filler flowers in arrangements. Characteristics Ageratum is a flowering annual that grows best in summer. It has a mounding growth habit with densely packed, branching stems covered with slightly fuzzy, ovate leaves. Some varieties rarely grow more than six inches tall, while others send out two-foot-long stems. Clusters of small, round flowers appear on the top of the stems. Blue is the most common flower color, but you can also find varieties with white, purple, or pink blooms. All of the flowers have elongated ray florets that look like tufts of silky floss. Some people confuse ageratum with blue mistflower (Conoclinium coelestinum). While both of these plants produce similar flowers, the latter is a cold-tolerant perennial that’s native to the eastern half of the United States. Native Range Ageratum is native to portions of Central America and Mexico. Although it can complete its life cycle in a few months, it often remains living for multiple years in these frost-free areas. Planting Whether you want to tuck a few ageratum plants into a planter or front yard garden bed, or add taller varieties to your cutting garden, starting with healthy plants is key. Since ageratum is an annual, you’ll need to replant these flowers each year. Starting with seeds or transplants are both viable options, so choose the one that works best for you.