Amber Blush Red Basil
Clinopodium coccineum 'Amber Blush'
Pickup currently unavailable at Aiken Nursery
'Amber Blush' is a soft-toned selection of the native scarlet calamint, Clinopodium coccineum, an aromatic, semi-evergreen subshrub of the mint family from the deep sands of the southeastern coastal plain. Where the wild species flowers in hot scarlet, this apricot clone brings a gentler, more complicated color to the same tough, hummingbird-loved plant.
Found in the Florida Panhandle, 'Amber Blush' was introduced and shared with us by Rich Lewandowski of Shangri La Gardens in Orange, Texas. The selection is close kin to our yellow-flowered 'Ohoopee Yellow' from Georgia, but the dark green foliage runs a little denser, and the flowers are a softer, deeper amber-yellow that warms to an orangey pink as cool fall temperatures arrive, so a single plant can shift through a whole range of warm tones across the season.
Give 'Amber Blush' full sun and sharp, well-drained soil, and site the subshrub where the long season of amber bloom and the hummingbird traffic can be enjoyed up close: a hot bank, a gravel or xeric border, a rock garden, or the front of a sunny native bed. The aromatic foliage keeps deer at a distance and rewards a brush of the hand along a path. Pair with salvias, grasses, and other sun-and-drought lovers.
Photo courtesy of Juniper Level Botanic Gardens.
- Hardiness
- USDA Zones 7–9
- Sun
- Full Sun, Part Shade
- Soil
- Well-drained
- Mature size
- Height 3–4 Feet · Spread 2–3 Feet
- Growth rate
- Slow
- Seasonality
- Semi-Evergreen
Amber to apricot, aging orangey pink in fall, late spring to fall
From rooting to shipping, our top priority is ensuring you receive healthy, thriving plants for your garden’s success.
Because most of our plants are grown from rooted cuttings — alongside seed, air layering, and grafting chosen for each variety — you receive a stronger, true-to-type plant that establishes quickly in your garden.
Raised on organic soil blends and eco-friendly pest management — never harsh chemicals — your plant arrives healthy for your garden, your family, and the pollinators they feed.
Every purchase gives back. We donate to the Aiken Arboretum and support local wildlife conservation, so growing your garden helps protect the wider ecosystem too.
All our plant material is carefully propagated, grown, and nurtured at our humble nursery in Aiken, South Carolina.
Your plant arrives carefully packed and ready to settle in. Unpack them promptly, give them a day or two to acclimate, then plant following the notes we include — that’s all it takes. Clear care guidance comes with every order, so success is the easy part.
What to expect upon delivery
All our plants are sold in 1-gallon sizes, though the height of each plant can vary depending on its growth rate and seasonality, typically ranging from 1/2 to 2.5 feet.
Each plant is carefully packaged with its roots enclosed in a secure plastic bag containing moist soil, forming a compact root ball. To ensure safe transport, the box is padded with recycled newspaper, providing both stability and eco-friendly protection from weather during shipping.
What is your return policy?
Review our full return policy information on our SHIPPING AND RETURNS POLICY page.
What payment methods can I use?
We offer 35 different payment methods including major providers like Mastercard, Visa, PayPal, American Express and Diners as well as many different local payment methods including Klarna, iDEAL, AliPay, Sofort, giropay, and many more.
Can I make changes to my order after it’s been placed?
At Woodlanders, we strive to fulfill orders as quickly as possible. Therefore, we can only accommodate changes to your order within the first 24 hours after it has been placed. These changes include adding or removing products and modifying the delivery address. If you need to make any changes or if there has been a mistake with your order information, please reach out to us promptly via our CONTACT page with your order number for the quickest resolution.
Your satisfaction is our priority, and we appreciate your understanding and cooperation.