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Ocimum labiatum (Shell Bush) - This evergreen shrub in the sage family typically reaches a height of 3 to 5 feet tall by an equal width but is known to grow larger in its native habitat. Its leaves that are almost heart-shaped, have a soft hairy texture with scalloped edges and they have a minty perfume when handled. Six-inch, delicate spires of flowers bloom at the tips of the branches and completely cover the bush in a mist of pinkish mauve over a long period from early summer on into fall.
Plant in full coastal sun to light shade in a well-drained soil and water regularly to infrequently – though from the more summer rainfall areas of South Africa, this plant can handle summer dry conditions in part day sun in coastal California gardens once it is established it can also tolerate a moderate degree of frost and seems cold hardy down to at least 25°F. Trim back plants in winter to neaten up and shape.
Ocimum labiatum grows naturally on rocky hillsides in KwaZulu-Natal, Swaziland north into the Northern Provinces of South Africa and beyond into Zimbabwe. This plant was previously known as Orthosiphon labiatus with the name for the genus coming from the Greek words 'ortho' meaning erect and 'siphon' meaning the "flower tube" in reference to the erect flower tube but more recently it has been put in Ocimum, the genus that includes culinary basil. The origin of this name is from a Greek name used by Theophrastus for an aromatic herb. The specific epithet is from Latin and means "lipped", which is a reference to the flared petals. Other common names include Pink Sage and Pink Cat's Whiskers.
We first started growing this attractive plant as Orthosiphon labiatus in 1995 from seed received under this name from the South African National Botanic Garden Kirstenbosch.
The information displayed on this page about Ocimum labiatum is based on the research we have conducted about it in our nursery library as well as from information provided by reliable online resources. We also include our own observations made about this plant as it grows in the nursery gardens and other gardens visited, as well how the crops of this plant have performed in the containers in our nursery field. We will also incorporate comments that we have received from others and welcome hearing from anyone with information about this plant, particularly if it includes cultural information that will aid others to better grow it.
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