Gardening Soul
Don’t Discard the Flowers on Your Basil: Here are 8 Ways How to Use Them
The next time your basil plant begins to flower, think twice before pinching off those blooms and tossing them aside.
by Linda Parker September 4, 2024 - Updated on December 5, 2024
Basil (Ocimum basilicum) is a beloved herb in many kitchens and gardens, known for its fragrant leaves and versatile culinary uses.
However, when basil plants bloom, many gardeners believe the flowers are a sign that the plant is past its prime and discard them.
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The truth is, basil flowers are just as useful and flavorful as the leaves, and throwing them away means missing out on their unique benefits.
If your basil plant has flowered, don’t toss those blooms! Here are eight creative and practical ways to use basil flowers in your kitchen, garden, and beyond.
1. Add Them to Salads
Basil flowers have a milder, more delicate flavor than the leaves, making them an excellent addition to salads.
How to Use:
Toss fresh basil flowers into green salads, pasta salads, or grain bowls.
Use them as a garnish to elevate the visual appeal of your dishes.
Why It Works:
The flowers provide a subtle basil flavor and a pop of color, making your meals both tasty and beautiful.
2. Make Basil Flower Tea
Basil flowers can be steeped to create a refreshing and aromatic herbal tea.
How to Use:
Harvest fresh or dried basil flowers.
Add 1–2 teaspoons of flowers to a cup of boiling water.
Let steep for 5–10 minutes, then strain and enjoy.
Sweeten with honey or lemon if desired.
Benefits:
Basil tea can help reduce stress, improve digestion, and support overall health.
3. Infuse Oils and Vinegars
Basil flowers can be used to create flavorful infused oils and vinegars for cooking or salad dressings.
How to Use:
Oil: Place basil flowers in a jar with olive oil and let it infuse for 1–2 weeks.
Vinegar: Add basil flowers to a bottle of white vinegar or apple cider vinegar for a tangy, herbaceous flavor.
Benefits:
Infused oils and vinegars make great gifts and add a gourmet touch to your dishes.
4. Garnish Cocktails and Beverages
Basil flowers can be used as an elegant garnish for cocktails and non-alcoholic drinks.
How to Use:
Float basil flowers on the surface of cocktails like mojitos, gin and tonics, or lemonade.
Use them as a garnish for sparkling water or iced tea.
Why It Works:
The delicate flowers add a hint of basil flavor and a sophisticated touch to your beverages.
5. Create Herb Butter
Basil flowers can be blended into butter for a flavorful spread.
How to Use:
Finely chop basil flowers.
Mix them into softened butter along with a pinch of salt.
Roll the butter into a log, wrap in parchment paper, and refrigerate.
Uses:
Spread on bread, melt over grilled vegetables, or use to flavor pasta and seafood.
6. Make Basil Flower Pesto
Basil flowers can be used as a substitute or complement to basil leaves in pesto.
How to Use:
Combine basil flowers, garlic, nuts (pine nuts, walnuts, or almonds), Parmesan cheese, and olive oil in a food processor.
Blend until smooth and adjust seasoning to taste.
Why It Works:
The flowers add a slightly different flavor profile, making your pesto unique and delicious.
7. Dry and Use as a Spice
Basil flowers can be dried and used as a spice to flavor a variety of dishes.
How to Use:
Hang basil flowers upside down in a cool, dry place to dry.
Once dried, crumble the flowers and store them in an airtight container.
Sprinkle over pasta, pizza, or roasted vegetables for a burst of basil flavor.
Benefits:
Dried basil flowers retain their aroma and can be stored for months.
8. Attract Pollinators to Your Garden
If you’re not ready to use the flowers immediately, let them stay on the plant to attract bees, butterflies, and other pollinators.
How to Use:
Allow the basil plant to flower and set it near your vegetable or fruit garden.
Why It Works:
Pollinators help improve the yield of your other plants, making basil flowers a valuable addition to any garden.
Bonus Tip: Basil Seeds from Flowers
If you let basil flowers mature, they will produce seeds that you can collect and plant for the next growing season.
How to Use:
Allow the flowers to dry on the plant.
Once dry, gently shake or crush the flowers to release the seeds.
Store the seeds in a cool, dry place for planting.
Basil flowers are more than just a sign of a mature plant—they’re an underappreciated treasure with countless uses in the kitchen and garden.
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15 Low-Maintenance Shrubs to Plant in the Fall
Here are 15 easy-care shrubs you can plant this fall to enjoy a beautiful and hassle-free garden.
by Linda Parker September 1, 2024
Planting shrubs in the fall is a smart way to enhance your garden’s beauty while reducing your workload in the coming spring.
The cooler temperatures and increased rainfall typical of fall provide an ideal environment for new shrubs to establish strong root systems before winter sets in.
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For those looking to add year-round structure, color, and texture to their landscape without needing constant attention, low-maintenance shrubs are the perfect solution.
Here are 15 easy-care shrubs you can plant this fall to enjoy a beautiful and hassle-free garden.
1. Boxwood (Buxus spp.)
Why It’s Low Maintenance:
Boxwood is a versatile, evergreen shrub known for its dense, compact growth and ability to be shaped into hedges or topiaries. It requires minimal pruning and adapts well to various light conditions.
Care Tips:
Light: Full sun to partial shade.
Water: Water regularly until established; drought-tolerant once mature.
Soil: Well-drained, slightly acidic to neutral soil.
2. Hydrangea (Hydrangea spp.)
Why It’s Low Maintenance:
Hydrangeas are beloved for their large, showy flowers that bloom from summer to fall. They are easy to grow, require minimal pruning, and are generally pest-resistant.
Care Tips:
Light: Morning sun with afternoon shade.
Water: Keep soil consistently moist.
Soil: Well-drained, rich, and slightly acidic.
3. Spirea (Spiraea spp.)
Why It’s Low Maintenance:
Spirea is a deciduous shrub known for its attractive foliage and clusters of small, colorful flowers. It requires little care, grows well in a variety of conditions, and is drought-tolerant once established.
Care Tips:
Light: Full sun to partial shade.
Water: Water moderately; drought-tolerant once established.
Soil: Well-drained soil, adaptable to different types.
4. Barberry (Berberis spp.)
Why It’s Low Maintenance:
Barberry shrubs are hardy, drought-resistant, and require minimal pruning. Their dense foliage and bright red or yellow leaves add color and texture to any garden.
Care Tips:
Light: Full sun to partial shade.
Water: Low water needs once established.
Soil: Well-drained, adaptable to various soil types.
5. Ninebark (Physocarpus opulifolius)
Why It’s Low Maintenance:
Ninebark is a deciduous shrub with striking foliage, peeling bark, and clusters of white or pink flowers. It is tough, hardy, and resistant to pests and diseases.
Care Tips:
Light: Full sun to partial shade.
Water: Moderate; tolerates some drought once established.
Soil: Well-drained, adaptable to various soils.
6. Juniper (Juniperus spp.)
Why It’s Low Maintenance:
Junipers are evergreen shrubs that come in many shapes and sizes, from low-growing ground covers to tall, upright varieties. They are highly drought-tolerant and require very little pruning.
Care Tips:
Light: Full sun.
Water: Low water needs; very drought-tolerant once established.
Soil: Well-drained, tolerates poor soils.
7. Lilac (Syringa spp.)
Why It’s Low Maintenance:
Lilacs are known for their fragrant, spring-blooming flowers. They are hardy, long-lived, and require minimal care once established, aside from occasional pruning.
Care Tips:
Light: Full sun.
Water: Moderate; prefers well-drained soil.
Soil: Neutral to slightly alkaline, well-drained soil.
8. Japanese Pieris (Pieris japonica)
Why It’s Low Maintenance:
Japanese Pieris is an evergreen shrub with year-round interest, featuring white or pink bell-shaped flowers and vibrant new foliage. It requires minimal care and is relatively pest-resistant.
Care Tips:
Light: Partial shade to full sun.
Water: Moderate; keep soil moist but not waterlogged.
Soil: Acidic, well-drained soil.
9. Weigela (Weigela florida)
Why It’s Low Maintenance:
Weigela is a deciduous shrub known for its colorful, trumpet-shaped flowers that attract hummingbirds. It requires minimal pruning and is generally pest-free.
Care Tips:
Light: Full sun to partial shade.
Water: Moderate; well-drained soil.
Soil: Adaptable to different soil types, prefers well-drained.
10. Smoke Bush (Cotinus coggygria)
Why It’s Low Maintenance:
Smoke Bush is a striking shrub with unique, smoky plumes of flowers and colorful foliage. It is drought-tolerant, resistant to pests, and requires little pruning.
Care Tips:
Light: Full sun.
Water: Low to moderate water needs.
Soil: Well-drained, tolerates poor soils.
11. Forsythia (Forsythia spp.)
Why It’s Low Maintenance:
Forsythia is an early spring bloomer known for its bright yellow flowers. It is hardy, grows quickly, and requires minimal care, making it a great choice for low-maintenance gardens.
Care Tips:
Light: Full sun.
Water: Moderate; drought-tolerant once established.
Soil: Well-drained, adaptable to various soil types.
12. Rhododendron (Rhododendron spp.)
Why It’s Low Maintenance:
Rhododendrons are evergreen shrubs with large, showy flowers. They are easy to grow, require little pruning, and thrive in shaded areas.
Care Tips:
Light: Partial shade to full sun.
Water: Moderate; keep soil consistently moist.
Soil: Acidic, well-drained soil.
13. Winterberry (Ilex verticillata)
Why It’s Low Maintenance:
Winterberry is a deciduous holly known for its bright red berries that provide winter interest and food for wildlife. It requires minimal care and is highly adaptable.
Care Tips:
Light: Full sun to partial shade.
Water: Moderate; prefers moist soil but can tolerate wet conditions.
Soil: Well-drained to wet, acidic soil.
14. Butterfly Bush (Buddleia spp.)
Why It’s Low Maintenance:
Butterfly Bush is a fast-growing shrub that produces long, fragrant flower spikes that attract butterflies and other pollinators. It is drought-tolerant and requires minimal care.
Care Tips:
Light: Full sun.
Water: Low water needs; drought-tolerant once established.
Soil: Well-drained, tolerates poor soils.
15. Sweetspire (Itea virginica)
Why It’s Low Maintenance:
Sweetspire is a deciduous shrub that produces fragrant, white flower spikes in late spring. It is tolerant of wet soil, adaptable, and requires little pruning.
Care Tips:
Light: Full sun to partial shade.
Water: Moderate; prefers moist soil.
Soil: Well-drained to wet, adaptable to various soil types.
Planting low-maintenance shrubs in the fall is a great way to establish a beautiful garden that requires minimal upkeep.
These 15 shrubs offer a variety of colors, textures, and benefits, from attracting pollinators to providing year-round interest.
By choosing the right shrubs for your landscape, you can enjoy a lush and vibrant garden with little effort.
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