Mrs Burns' Famous Lemon Basil is a cherished heirloom cultivar of Ocimum basilicum that carries decades of family gardening history from southeastern New Mexico. This Old World introduction delivers an amazing lemon flavor that sets it apart from standard basil varieties, while thriving in heat and drought conditions that challenge other herbs. Self-seeding readily once established, it has become one of Native Seeds/SEARCH's best sellers and a staff favorite since joining their Seed-Bank Collection, offering gardeners both exceptional flavor and proven resilience.
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Named after the mother of Native Seeds/SEARCH co-founder Barney Burns, this basil has been grown continuously since the 1950s in the challenging climate of southeastern New Mexico. The remarkable lemon flavor makes it far more versatile than common basil, while its heat and drought tolerance means it thrives where many herbs struggle. Its willingness to self-seed turns it into a perennial presence in the garden once you've grown it once.
As a culinary herb, Mrs Burns' Famous Lemon Basil brings bright lemon notes to dishes where standard basil would fall flat. The exceptional lemon flavor makes it versatile in the kitchen, working in teas, desserts, savory dishes, and beverages where its citrus character can shine rather than be overshadowed by competing flavors.
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Harvest lemon basil leaves once the plant has established several sets of true leaves. Pinch off leaves and stem tips from the top of the plant, working downward, which encourages branching and continued production. You can begin light harvesting about 4-6 weeks after transplanting. For the most intense lemon flavor, harvest in the morning after dew has dried.
Pinch back growing tips regularly to encourage bushier, more productive growth rather than tall, leggy plants. This also extends your harvest window by preventing early flowering.
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“This variety carries a living connection to mid-20th century New Mexico gardening. It was grown for decades by Mrs. Burns, the mother of Native Seeds/SEARCH co-founder Barney Burns, in southeastern New Mexico, where it proved itself hardy enough to handle the region's intense sun and irregular water. As an Old World introduction, it likely traveled through Spanish colonial trade routes before taking root in Burns' garden, where it was preserved and eventually shared with Native Seeds/SEARCH. The variety now represents both family heritage and successful adaptation to arid North American growing conditions.”