We — and when I say we I mean me — grew the standard Genovese basil this year, but also decided to throw a pot of African Blue Basil (Ocimum kilimandscharicum x basilicum ‘Dark Opal’) into the garden crypt.

And that’s why we call it African Blue. Who can say Ocimum kilimandscharicum x basilicum ‘Dark Opal’?

Go ahead. I’ll wait.

It looked like this at the beginning of June.

In the beginning was the African blue basil.

In case you don’t recognize African blue basil, it’s front and right. All the way to the post.

At the end of June.

And it was good.

Along came September.

What happened to July and August? A total blur. Total.

This might be a close shot. I’m not saying it is. And I’m not saying it isn’t.

Today.

Get outta town!

African blue basil is a perennial basil. One of the few. Being a hybrid of two other breeds, it is also a non-breeder. No seeds. Sterile. Get it?

You propagate it through leaf cuttings.

It’s a grower.

It’s a siren call to bees. I know this to be true.

It does have that come hither look about it.

It’s beaut.

I’m going to try it in the frontscape next year. I’m not sure it will tolerate the full sun there, but it would make a great addition of color, not to mention all the bee action.

You can stare at it, and you can eat it.

I’m staring at it.

Fridaaaaay!

You know what to do. Meet you in the bar in 3…2…1…

Elen