Mrs. Burns' Lemon basil facts for kids

Mrs. Burns' Lemon basil (Ocimum basilicum var. citriodora 'Mrs Burns' Lemon') is a special type of basil plant. It's an heirloom variety, which means its seeds have been passed down for many years. This unique basil comes from New Mexico in the United States. Compared to other lemon basils, Mrs. Burns' Lemon basil has a much stronger lemon flavor. Its leaves are also bigger, and the plant itself is quite sturdy.

Origin Story

Mrs. Burns' Lemon basil gets its name from Janet Burns. She was an organic gardener who lived in Carlsbad, New Mexico. Janet first shared this special basil with others in 1939. She actually got the seeds from a neighbor who had been growing it since the 1920s!

Is it a true lemon basil?

Even though it's called "lemon basil," Mrs. Burns' Lemon basil is a type of sweet basil. It's not the same as the common lemon basil you might find. That kind of lemon basil is a mix of sweet basil and another plant called hoary basil. So, Mrs. Burns' Lemon basil is a unique member of the basil family!

What Does it Look Like?

Mrs. Burns' Lemon basil plants usually grow about 18 to 36 inches (45-90 cm) tall. They can spread out about 12 to 24 inches (30-60 cm) wide. The leaves are a bright green color and are about 3 inches (7.5 cm) long. The edges of the leaves are just a little bit bumpy.

Scent and Flavor

This basil has the strongest lemon smell and taste of all the lemon basils! You might also notice hints of cinnamon and mint, plus a little bit of spice. It even has a strong flowery smell. The super strong lemon scent comes from something called citral in the plant. The flowery smell comes from another natural chemical called linalool.

How to Grow Mrs. Burns' Lemon Basil

Mrs. Burns' Lemon basil is pretty easy to grow. It drops its own seeds, so new plants can grow on their own! Since it comes from a dry place like New Mexico, it handles heat and dry weather very well.

Planting and Care

This basil blooms later in the growing season. It is also slow to "bolt," which means it doesn't go to seed too quickly. It's a tender perennial plant, meaning it can live for more than two years in warm places. But in most areas, people grow it as an annual, meaning it lives for just one year.

Like most basils, it likes rich, well-drained soil. It also needs about 6 to 8 hours of full sunlight every day. To keep the leaves from getting bitter, you should pinch off the flowers as they start to grow. You can pick a few leaves at a time whenever you need them. Harvesting the leaves regularly helps the plant grow even more!

Ways to Use Mrs. Burns' Lemon Basil

Mrs. Burns' Lemon basil is great for many different recipes! Its strong lemon flavor makes it perfect for:

• Teas
• Salads
• Soups
• Vinegars

It's also delicious in desserts and baked goods. The lemon taste goes really well with fish and chicken dishes too!