Today I have one you all probably know but maybe you are a bit like me and didn’t know it was a native!
Coleus graveolens, synonym Plectranthus graveolens
Commonly called Bush Basil or the Five Spice Herb!
This plant is native from Cape York all way down to NSW.
Bush Basil is a very strong herb and is said best to use with Mediterranean flavours like tomato and garlic. You could use fresh leaves on a pizza or blend for a pesto.
It also has many medicinal qualities and can be steeped into a tea to help with coughs and colds.
It’s a vigorous growing herb and can handle full sun or shade and will grow in pots or the garden. It doesn’t mind the heat, dry or cold once established.
It gets covered in pretty mauve flower stalks in the warmer months. These are great as cut flowers and if you cut the leaves off with the flowers it will work as an aromatic bunch of flowers. Scenting the house nicely. The flowers also attract all different types of beneficial insects.
It can get to about 1.5m tall if let go but I find it’s best to trim after flowering otherwise it can get rather scraggly.
As with all my natives I would be fertilising my bush Basil with an organic complete slow release fertiliser like Organic Link every three months.