Purple Basil, etc. (was: Amsonia (was: Plants not yet discussed))

ginny wrote:
> ................
> Another plant that is useful for dark foliage throughout the garden
> is the opal basils.  Not only do they add color, you can pick the 
> leaves for flavorings as well.  It is not invasive like the perilla can > be.

Thanks, Ginny.  We have to cultivate the beds so much because of this
ancient old cottonwood tree that sheds every spring (this year was THE
worst) that most self-seeders never have a chance to become nuisances,
especially combined with our normal cold winters. This year I have more
perilla than usual (maybe 12 plants) and I just move them around to
different areas and then deadhead most of them later in the year to get
rid of most seed.  You must have better luck with purple basil than I do
-- it never gets very big or imposing for me. Plants in the herb bed are
only about 5 inches, compared with the sweet green basil that is simply
booming, and they were planted on the same day.

> I use a lot of different basils throughout my garden, I think they're > lots of fun!

Yes, I love combining herbs with flowers - I like dill and fennel
(esp. the bronze) a lot.  Lavenders and scented geraniums also. And
miniature roses in the herb bed - a red one is adorable mingled with the
little white flowers of a pine-scented geranium. Fun indeed!
And daring to cross the "perennial" line into annuals, herbs, & veggies,
have you seen the little purple-leaved hot pepper plants? They bloom in
lavender; the flowers then become tiny lavender peppers, which then turn
orange -- *very* cute!

Anne


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