It’s Show Time for Dahlias

 

For fall color, dahlias are hard to beat. This is because very few plants offer such a wide variety of sizes, shapes, and colors as dahlias do. From giant blooms over 10 inches in diameter to micro blooms under 2 inches, over 20 different forms and all colors of the rainbow other than blue, there’s a dahlia that will work well in your garden. 

All these flowering possibilities grew out of the early work by Swedish Botanist Andreas Dahl. Dahlias can be grown successfully in containers or in the ground and will bloom from late summer to first frost. Dahlias are one of the most spectacular garden flowers and regardless of your experience level, there’s always something to learn about them. 

There’s no better opportunity to strengthen your knowledge and growing skills than at the Colorado Dahlia Society’s 2026 show, hosted by The Flower Bin on Saturday, September 5 and Sunday, September 6. The theme of this year’s show is “American Pride in Bloom”, a celebration of the 250th anniversary of the founding of America and the 150th anniversary of Colorado statehood.

Saturday September 5 schedule:

7:30 AM Open to receive entries

9:00 AM Open to the public

10:00 AM Entries close

10:15 AM Start of Judging

4:00 PM Show Closes

Sunday September 6 schedule:

10:00 AM Open to the public

3:00 PM Exhibitor grouping of flowers begins

4:00 PM Show closes

If you’re interested in participating in the show, entries will be accepted from 7:30 AM to 10:00 AM, Saturday September 5, at The Flower Bin. There is an Amateur Class and an Open Class.  You do not need to be a member of the Colorado Dahlia Society to enter.  

Each dahlia submitted must include two leaves along with the blossom, to be accepted into the judging. Vases and show tags are available. Members of the Colorado Dahlia Society will be available from 7:30 to 10:00 AM to help finalize any entries.  

Following the judging, the show will be open to the public. The show is free and represents a great opportunity for you to enrich your dahlia knowledge.

 If you’re a grower, we invite you to enter some of your blooms. If you’re interested in getting started growing dahlias, stop in and visit with the members of the Colorado Dahlia Society.

Herb Spotlight: African Blue Basil

 🌿

Common name: African Blue Basil 
Botanical name: Ocimum 'African Blue' 
Family: Lamiaceae

If you're looking for a basil that brings flavor, flowers, and pollinators to the garden, African Blue Basil deserves a spot! With deep green leaves tinged with purple, beautiful purple flower spikes, and an irresistible aroma, this basil is as ornamental as it is useful.

Unlike traditional sweet basil, African Blue Basil is a sterile hybrid, meaning it doesn't produce viable seed. Instead, it keeps branching and flowering throughout the season—making it an incredible long-lasting source of flowers for bees and other pollinators.

🌱 Why Grow African Blue Basil?

🐝 A Pollinator Magnet

This is one of African Blue Basil's biggest claims to fame. Once it begins flowering, the blooms can be absolutely covered with bees and other beneficial pollinators.

If you're looking to create a garden that buzzes with activity, this is a fantastic plant to add.

🌸 Beautiful Enough for the Flower Garden

With purple stems, purple-tinged foliage, and masses of lavender-colored flowers, African Blue Basil looks right at home in ornamental beds as well as the herb garden.

🌿 Keeps Producing

Because it doesn't set viable seed, African Blue Basil can spend the entire season producing new leaves and flowers.

🍽️ A Unique Culinary Herb

Its flavor is more complex than traditional sweet basil, with hints of spice and camphor. It works especially well in savory dishes, infused oils, sauces, and herb blends.

🌿 Growing & Care

☀️ Light

• Prefers full sun

• Aim for 6–8 hours of sunlight daily

• Afternoon shade can be helpful during extreme summer heat

💧 Water

• Keep soil consistently moist while establishing

• Once established, allow the soil to dry slightly between waterings

• Containers may need frequent watering during hot weather

🌱 Soil

• Rich, well-draining soil

• Add compost before planting

• Benefits from regular feeding during the growing season

🌿 Growth Habit

African Blue Basil can become a large, vigorous plant, often reaching 2–3 feet tall and wide under good conditions.

Give it room to grow!

🌡️ Growing African Blue Basil in Zone 5

African Blue Basil is a warm-season annual in Colorado and other cold climates.

Tips for Success:

• Wait until the danger of frost has passed before planting outdoors.

• Plant in a warm, sunny location.

• Protect from cold nights early and late in the season.

• Containers are an excellent choice if you want to move plants around the garden.

• Harvest regularly to encourage branching and fresh foliage.

African Blue Basil will not survive a Zone 5 winter outdoors, but one healthy plant can provide months of beautiful growth during the summer.

✂️ Do I Need to Remove the Flowers?

No! That's the beauty of African Blue Basil.

With traditional basil, we often pinch off flowers to keep plants focused on leaf production. African Blue Basil is different.

Its flowers are one of its greatest features!

🌸 Let It Bloom

Allow the flower spikes to develop and you'll have:

• More color

• More pollinators

• More branching

• A beautiful ornamental herb

You can still trim the plant when it becomes too large or harvest young leaves for cooking.

🌿 Harvesting African Blue Basil

🌱 What to Harvest

• Young leaves

• Tender stem tips

• Flowering stems

✂️ How to Harvest

Cut stems just above a set of leaves to encourage the plant to branch.

And don't throw those flowers away! The blooms are edible and can be used as a colorful garnish.

🍽️ How to Use African Blue Basil

African Blue Basil has a stronger, more complex flavor than sweet basil, so it's especially good when used thoughtfully.

Try it in:

• Pesto

• Pasta dishes

• Tomato salads

• Herb butter

• Marinades

• Infused vinegar

• Cocktails and mocktails

• Garnishes

It pairs especially well with tomatoes, garlic, lemon, olive oil, mozzarella, peaches, and grilled vegetables.

🌿 African Blue Basil Herb Butter

A simple way to capture its unique flavor!

Ingredients

• ½ cup softened unsalted butter

• 2 tablespoons finely chopped African Blue Basil leaves

• 1 tablespoon finely chopped basil flowers

• 1 teaspoon lemon zest

• 1 small garlic clove, minced

• Pinch of salt

Directions

1. Combine all ingredients in a small bowl.

2. Mix until thoroughly incorporated.

3. Spoon onto parchment paper and roll into a log.

4. Refrigerate until firm.

5. Slice and serve over grilled vegetables, corn, chicken, fish, or warm bread.

Garden Tip: Freeze extra herb butter in small portions so you can enjoy your basil harvest later in the year.

🐝 Create a Pollinator Haven

African Blue Basil is especially valuable when planted alongside other flowering herbs.

Try pairing it with:

• Lavender

• Thyme

• Oregano

• Lemon balm

• Borage

• Pineapple sage

Together, these herbs can create a beautiful, fragrant pollinator garden that provides food for bees and other beneficial insects throughout the growing season.

🌸 Final Thoughts

African Blue Basil is proof that an herb garden doesn't have to be all about cooking. This beautiful basil gives you fragrant foliage, edible flowers, nonstop blooms, and a steady stream of pollinators all summer long.

It's a wonderful choice for gardeners who want their herbs to pull double duty—beautiful enough for the flower garden and useful enough for the kitchen.

Come visit The Flower Bin and add African Blue Basil to your garden this summer! 🌿💜🐝