BASIL
Basileus
Basil is truly an incredible herb. It is enjoyed for its rich and spicy, mildly peppery flavor with a trace of mint and clove. The basils have always attracted the attention of herb fanciers, and rightly so, for they offer an amazing array of flavors and scents, and they are a constant source of inspiration in the kitchen.
Basil is surprisingly easy to grow. Basils grow best in a sunny location and need a well-drained, rich soil. Plants can be planted outside to their permanent location and spaced about 12 inches apart. Since moisture is important to a good basil crop, mulching the area will not only discourage weeds but will maintain the moisture level of the soil keeping the plant healthy
Varieties of Basil
CINNAMON BASIL
O. basilicum
From Mexico. Growth habit is similar to that of regular sweet basil, with a distinctive cinnamon taste and odor. Mexicans like to place a vase of fresh cut herb on the dinner table to ward off insects. Curiously, they do not seem to use it much in cuisine, despite its superb flavor. Deserves experimentation!
COLUMNAR BASIL
O.basilicum 'Lesbos"
Sturdy upright growth habit and almost total lack of flowers make this sweet basil particularly carefree as well as delicious!
GREEK BUSH BASIL
Ocimum basilicum minimum
Improved bush basil variety with smaller leaves, very tight compact bushes, and uniform growth. Excellent as pot plants.
LEMON BASIL, MRS. BURNS
Ocimum basilicum
Excellent lemon scent with larger leaves and more robust growth habit that the sandard lemon basil variety. Up to 90 cm (3'); pink flowers
PURPLE RUFFLES BASIL
Ocimum basilicum
An All-American winner. Large heavily ruffled and fringed darkpurple leaves and pinkish-purple flowers make this a striking new addition to the herb garden or flower border
RUBIN BASIL
Ocimum basilicum
Significant improvement over the Dark Opal variety. Leaves nearly pure purple-bronze; very little green. Fine flavour and aroma.
SWEET (GENOVESE) BASIL
Ocimum basilicum
Classic large-leaf type from the Genoa area of Italy, the pesto capital of the world. Excellent for fresh or frozen use
THAI BASIL "SIAM QUEEN"
Ocimum 'Siam Queen'
All-American winner for 1997. Major improvement on the standard variety. A very regal looking plant! Has dense deep purple inflorescences contrasting with the dark green leaves. Spicy anise-licorice aroma and flavour; excellent served fresh in such dishes as Thai green curries and Vietnamese noodle soups.
