Ocimum basilicum 'Dark Opal' (Basil 'Dark Opal')

Botanical name

Ocimum basilicum 'Dark Opal'

Other names

Basil 'Dark Opal', Ocimum basilicum var. purpurascens 'Dark Opal', Purple basil 'Dark Opal'

Genus

Ocimum Ocimum

Variety or Cultivar

'Dark Opal' _ 'Dark Opal' is a upright, bushy, aromatic, half-hardy, short-lived perennial, often grown as an annual, with edible, broadly ovate, dark purple to maroon leaves and long spikes of whorled, tubular, lilac-pink flowers in summer.

Native to

Garden origin

Foliage

Deciduous

Fragrance

Leaves are sweet and spicy.

Habit

Bushy, Upright

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Colour

Flower

Lilac-pink in Summer

Foliage

Dark-purple in Spring; Dark-purple in Summer; Dark-purple in Autumn

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How to care

Watch out for

Specific pests

Aphids , Leafhoppers

Specific diseases

Powdery mildew

General care

Pruning

Pinch out flower heads as they appear to ensure continued leaf growth. If left to flower, cut back after flowering.

Propagation

Flowers are sterile so do not produce seed.

Propagation methods

Seed, Stem tip cuttings

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Monthly care advice

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Where to grow

Ocimum basilicum 'Dark Opal' (Basil 'Dark Opal') will reach a height of 0.5m and a spread of 0.3m after 1-2 years.

Suggested uses

Add to salads, City, Containers, Drying, Flavouring food and drinks, Foliage only

Cultivation

Plant as an annual in light, well-drained, fertile soil in a sheltered position in full sun. Ideally grown in a container or pot. Water freely in summer. Can be grown as a short-lived subshrub if overwintered indoors.

Soil type

Loamy, Sandy

Soil drainage

Well-drained

Soil pH

Acid, Alkaline, Neutral

Light

Full Sun

Aspect

South, West

Exposure

Sheltered

UK hardiness Note: We are working to update our ratings. Thanks for your patience.

Indoor heated (H1), Tender in frost (H3)

USDA zones

Zone 11, Zone 10, Zone 9

Defra's Risk register #1

Plant name

Ocimum basilicum 'Dark Opal' (Basil 'Dark Opal')

Common pest name

tomato thrips

Scientific pest name

Ceratothripoides brunneus

Type

Insect

Current status in UK

Absent

Likelihood to spread to UK (1 is very low - 5 is very high)

3

Impact (1 is very low - 5 is very high)

3

General biosecurity comments

Thrips present in Africa; the Caribbean and parts of Asia; frequently intercepted in the UK. Can cause significant damage to tomatoes and other crops in countries where it is present. Europe wide PRA will consider its potential to establish and cause damage.

About this section

Our plants are under greater threat than ever before. There is increasing movement of plants and other material traded from an increasing variety of sources. This increases the chances of exotic pests arriving with imported goods and travellers, as well as by natural means. Shoot is working with Defra to help members to do their part in preventing the introduction and spread of invasive risks.

Traveling or importing plants? Please read "Don't risk it" advice here

Suspected outbreak? Click here for contact details to report to the relevant authority.

Date updated: 7^th March 2019 For more information visit: https://planthealthportal.defra.gov.uk/