"Dark Opal Basil (Ocimum basilicum ’Dark Opal’) is a striking annual herb grown for its deep purple (almost black) foliage, licorice-clove aroma, ornamental value, and culinary uses. • Ideal Placement: Full sun (=6 hrs/day) in garden beds or containers; tolerates partial shade but color fades. • Maintenance: Water evenly (keep soil moist, not soggy), use well-drained fertile mix, pinch flowers to prolong leaf harvest (~60 days), fertilize lightly, and pinch regularly for bushier growth. • Unique Point: Rich in anthocyanins (deep purple pigment), All-America Selections winner (1962), prized for edible colorful foliage and pollinator-attracting lavender flowers."