Basil, Dark Purple Opal

Annual. Deep color makes this one extra flavorful, rich and sweet. The fragrant deep-violet foliage will accent your floral designs with drama and perfume. Many gardeners choose to dapple the landscape with dark purple foliage, as it accents brightly colored flowers and vegetables beautifully. This variety was bred at the University of Connecticut in the 1950s, when Professor Joseph M. Lent and his colleague John Scarchuck set out to improve the existing purple basil variety, which had inconsistent color issues. A purple-splotched variety from Turkey was selected from countless samples from across the globe. The result was this deeply purple, vigorous variety which they named Dark Opal. This exemplary basil took home a bronze medal in the 1962 All America’s Selection award.

• 8-12 hours of Sun
• Sprouts in 6-10 Days
• Ideal Temperature: 70-85 Degrees F
• Seed Depth: 1/4"
  
• Plant Spacing: 8-12"
• Frost Hardy: No
• Ocimum basilicum
  

Growing Tips: Thrives in heat. May be sown in place in long-summer areas, or started indoors and set out after last-frost date of spring. Remove flower buds promptly to prolong harvest.