'Purple Ruffles' Basil
The year before last I tried to grow 'Purple Ruffles' basil from Burpee seeds which unfortunately didn't come true. The seeds did produce basil plants-they were just some genetic green basil. To say I was disappointed is an understatement. Last spring I managed to find 'Purple Ruffles' seedlings at a community garden's plant sale and purchased a few.
If you're a lover of black plants I recommend growing Ocimum basilicum 'Purple Ruffles.' The dark coloring of the fringed leaves make it perfect candidate for a Gothic garden. Normally I'd recommend growing basil from seed because it's so easy, but if you have your heart set on growing a particular cultivar I'd advise you to seek out seedlings or plants.
How to Grow 'Purple Ruffles' Basil
Would you believe this is the same basil plant as the one pictured above? This basil photograph was taken in the middle of the growing season when I started to run out of room and moved 'Purple Ruffles' to a spot that was shaded by my Smart Pots container garden. After a few weeks in the shade the leaves started to lose their purple coloring and flatten out. The effect looks like my basil plant has a disease, doesn't it? When I finally noticed what was happening with my basil plant I moved it back into full sun and the leaves started to darken and ruffle by the end of the growing season when I took the top photograph. If you're growing 'Purple Ruffles' keep it in full sun and don't forget to water regularly.
'Purple Ruffles' Flavor
The flavor profile of the basil is rich and spicy. If you don't like the taste of anise or black licorice then you probably won't like the flavor of 'Purple Ruffles' either. When I decided to grow it the first time I wanted to make an oil infusion, but that never panned out. Instead I would wrap cherry tomatoes in the purple leaves and sprinkle other herbs and pop the whole "taco" in my mouth when hanging out in the garden. Provided you can buy a 'Purple Ruffles' seedling or propagate it through cutting I would recommend it for any gardener. Don't bother trying to grow 'Purple Ruffles' from seed as you can rely on them coming true. If I can find seedlings or cutting I'll be growing this basil again this year. I'm also going to star some dark opal basil from seeds. Any other dark herbs you'd recommend?
If you're a lover of black plants I recommend growing Ocimum basilicum 'Purple Ruffles.' The dark coloring of the fringed leaves make it perfect candidate for a Gothic garden. Normally I'd recommend growing basil from seed because it's so easy, but if you have your heart set on growing a particular cultivar I'd advise you to seek out seedlings or plants.
Would you believe this is the same basil plant as the one pictured above? This basil photograph was taken in the middle of the growing season when I started to run out of room and moved 'Purple Ruffles' to a spot that was shaded by my Smart Pots container garden. After a few weeks in the shade the leaves started to lose their purple coloring and flatten out. The effect looks like my basil plant has a disease, doesn't it? When I finally noticed what was happening with my basil plant I moved it back into full sun and the leaves started to darken and ruffle by the end of the growing season when I took the top photograph. If you're growing 'Purple Ruffles' keep it in full sun and don't forget to water regularly.
'Purple Ruffles' Flavor
The flavor profile of the basil is rich and spicy. If you don't like the taste of anise or black licorice then you probably won't like the flavor of 'Purple Ruffles' either. When I decided to grow it the first time I wanted to make an oil infusion, but that never panned out. Instead I would wrap cherry tomatoes in the purple leaves and sprinkle other herbs and pop the whole "taco" in my mouth when hanging out in the garden. Provided you can buy a 'Purple Ruffles' seedling or propagate it through cutting I would recommend it for any gardener. Don't bother trying to grow 'Purple Ruffles' from seed as you can rely on them coming true. If I can find seedlings or cutting I'll be growing this basil again this year. I'm also going to star some dark opal basil from seeds. Any other dark herbs you'd recommend?
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