Basil African blue (perennial)
African Blue Basil (Ocimum ‘African Blue’)
A striking, aromatic basil with bold floral‑spice flavour — perfect for salads, teas, marinades, and pollinator‑friendly gardens
🌿 African Blue Basil is a stunning perennial basil hybrid grown for its deep purple stems, blue‑green leaves, and long spikes of violet flowers that bloom continuously through summer. Highly aromatic and visually dramatic, it has a warm, floral‑spicy flavour with hints of clove, camphor, and sweet basil.
Unlike most basils, African Blue Basil is sterile, which means it flowers non‑stop without losing vigour — a dream for pollinators and gardeners alike. Its bold, resinous flavour works beautifully in teas, marinades, infused oils, and dishes that welcome a more complex basil note.
Aromatic, ornamental, and incredibly bee‑friendly, this is one of the most rewarding basils you can grow.
Leaves
The leaves have a warm, floral‑spicy flavour with sweet basil notes and a gentle camphor lift.
• Lovely in herbal teas and iced drinks
• Delicious in marinades for chicken, lamb, and vegetables
• Excellent in pestos, herb oils, and infused vinegars
• Beautiful in salads and summer dishes when used sparingly
• Pairs well with tomatoes, aubergine, peppers, and courgettes
• Adds depth to stews, soups, and slow‑cooked dishes
Leaf flavour: floral‑spicy, warm, resinous, sweet‑basil like
Flowers
The violet flowers are edible and lightly aromatic.
• Gorgeous as a garnish
• Add to salads, drinks, and desserts
• Extremely attractive to bees and pollinators 🐝
Flower flavour: mild, sweet‑herbal
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