Basil ‘Mrs. Burns Lemon’

Ocimum x citriodorum

Features

  • Cut-and-come-again
  • Easy to grow
  • Edible
  • Foliage & Filler
  • Fragrant
  • Heat-loving
  • Suitable for containers

Description

Filling a room with its clean, citrusy scent, this easy-to-grow, heat-loving foliage is a wonderful addition to summer bouquets. The bright green foliage and white flowers are fragrant, and we combine them with zinnias for a fast, beautiful bouquet from midsummer through autumn.

Details

Plant type: annual
Height: 20 to 24 in
Site: full sun
Days to maturity: 60 to 70 days
Plant spacing: 9 to 12 in
Pinch: when 8 in tall

Seed Sowing & Growing Notes

Start seed indoors in trays 6 weeks before last frost; transplant out after all danger of frost has passed. Basil is very sensitive to cold; wait until the weather has warmed to transplant out.

Harvesting/Vase Life

Harvest when stems begin to toughen, or as soon as flowers begin to form. Be sure to cut during the coolest part of the day to minimize wilting. Immediately after harvest, dip the bottom few inches of the stems in boiling water for 7 to 10 seconds, or use Quick Dip, then place into cool water. Expect a vase life of 7 to 10 days.

Details

Description

Filling a room with its clean, citrusy scent, this easy-to-grow, heat-loving foliage is a wonderful addition to summer bouquets. The bright green foliage and white flowers are fragrant, and we combine them with zinnias for a fast, beautiful bouquet from midsummer through autumn.

Details

Plant type: annual
Height: 20 to 24 in
Site: full sun
Days to maturity: 60 to 70 days
Plant spacing: 9 to 12 in
Pinch: when 8 in tall

Seed Sowing & Growing Notes

Start seed indoors in trays 6 weeks before last frost; transplant out after all danger of frost has passed. Basil is very sensitive to cold; wait until the weather has warmed to transplant out.

Harvesting/Vase Life

Harvest when stems begin to toughen, or as soon as flowers begin to form. Be sure to cut during the coolest part of the day to minimize wilting. Immediately after harvest, dip the bottom few inches of the stems in boiling water for 7 to 10 seconds, or use Quick Dip, then place into cool water. Expect a vase life of 7 to 10 days.

Sources

How to Grow

Winter Mini Course: Seed-Starting 101

Learn how to start flowers from seed in this three-part video series

In our upcoming Winter Mini Course, you’ll learn everything you need to know to successfully start flowers from seed, including all of the necessary supplies, step-by-step instructions, special tips and tricks, and how to create a simple indoor seed-starting area.