Mixed Basil basket
Basils are easy to grow annuals. They prefer full sun and evenly moist, well-drained soil. Basil is a perfect addition to your vegetable garden, but can be quite happy in containers on a sunny patio or perched indoors on a windowsill. Most basils grow 18-24 inches tall and form a bushy appearance as the leaves are pinched for use. Pinch flowers when they begin to form to keep plants compact and to concentrate the flavor in the leaves. However, if you do neglect to keep the flowers pinched, you can snip the flower stems to make a nice addition to a bouquet or nosegay.
Pantry Garden Herbs carries 27 varieties of basil. The differences are found in the size of the leaves, the colors of the foliage, and the wide variety of flavors ranging from tones of citrus and cloves to exotic flavors of licorice and cinnamon, there are even slightly spicy varieties. Listed below are the particular attributes to each one, we urge you to try several different kinds to broaden your horizons in the garden and your kitchen! Find great basil recipes here!
‘Amethyst’ – the only purple Genovese type basil. This almost-black basil is stunning in the garden. Learn more about this variety including sowing information.
‘Ararat’ – classic basil flavor with mottled purple and green leaves. Beautiful when used as a filler for bouquets. Learn more about this variety including sowing information.
‘Aroma’ very similar to Genovese, but it has greater defenses against fusarium wilt. Learn more about this variety including sowing information.
‘Aussie Purple’ – purple and green streaked leaves. This variety is reluctant to go to seed. Learn more about this variety including sowing information.
‘Boxwood’ – compact, small-leafed plants look like boxwoods and are more uniform than other dwarf basils. Great for pesto. Learn more about this variety including sowing information.
‘Cardinal’ – dark red flowers that bloom from spring to early fall. Attractive to birds, bees and butterflies. Learn more about this variety including sowing information.
‘Cinnamon’ has white or purple flowers and a wonderful cinnamon scent. Use in teas, fruit salads, and flavored honey, or as an interesting addition to potpourri and sachets. Learn more about this variety including sowing information.
‘Compatto’ – a sweet Genovese variety with a compact growing habit. Learn more about this variety including sowing information.
‘Dark Opal’ – mostly purple with random splotches of green. Upright, rounded habit. Learn more about this variety including sowing information.
‘Fino Verde’ has a spicy and sweet flavor. Very small leaves on a medium sized plant.
Learn more about this variety including sowing information.
‘Genovese’ is often called the “gourmet basil”, it has a typical basil flavor, but is rich and smooth; its the best for pesto. Learn more about this variety including sowing information.
‘Greek Columnars’ attractive appearance is in the plant’s dense columnar shape. It does not flower, so the flavor is maintained throughout the year. It can be grown indoors in the winter. This basil has a pungent flavor that is best for stews and hearty dishes. Learn more about this variety including sowing information.
‘Green Bouquet’ a sweet, compact, bushy basil with ½” long pungent leaves. It makes an attractive container or edible edging plant. Learn more about this variety including sowing information.
‘Holy’ – our new favorite! A gourmet basil with a light musky scent that has a hint of mint and cloves. It makes a delicious tasting tea. Learn more about this variety including sowing information.
‘Italian Large Leaf’ – famous sweet basil for making Italian dishes, pesto, and flavoring vegetables. Grows to over two feet tall. Learn more about this variety including sowing information.
‘Lemon’ – it’s leaves have a citrus flavor and lemony scented flowers. Delicious in salads, sauces and with chicken. Also used in potpourri. Learn more about this variety including sowing information.
‘Lettuce Leaf’ has large ruffled leaves and is great on sandwiches, in pesto, and is a good variety for freezing. Learn more about this variety including sowing information.
‘Lime’ – a distinct zesty lime flavor and aroma, yet still a discernable basil taste. Compact plant with 2” long, bright green leaves. Learn more about this variety including sowing information.
‘Mini Purple’ – one of the best basil performers for the dead heat of summer. Similar flavor to sweet basil. Tiny purple leaves on a compact plant. Perfect for mixed pots. Learn more about this variety including sowing information.
‘Purple Ruffles’ – deep-purple leaves with a unique ruffled edge. The hint of licorice and cinnamon flavor of this variety is not a strong as the other purples and it needs full sun for best color. Learn more about this variety including sowing information.
‘Red Rubin’ is a deep, purple-red basil, which adds vibrant color to the garden and in salads and vinegars. Learn more about this variety including sowing information.
‘Ruffled’ – (Serata) – unique ruffles leaves with a good basil flavor. Does well in containers. Pinch back to keep compact. Learn more about this variety including sowing information.
‘Spicy Globe’ has tiny leaves and is a more compact plant. It looks great in knot gardens and small pots. It makes a zesty addition to green salads or ricotta cheese. Use sparingly for its small leaves pack quite a punch. Learn more about this variety including sowing information.
‘Sweet’ (Nufar) is the most common type of basil it has a lovely clove-like scent. It is excellent in salads, with fish, meats, and in sauces. Especially delicious in Italian, Greek or Thai dishes. Learn more about this variety including sowing information.
‘Sweet Thai’ – sweeter than our ‘Siam Queen’. Green, 2” long leaves have a spicy anise-clove flavor. This one is similar in appearance to Licorice basil, very ornamental with its purple flower clusters. Learn more about this variety including sowing information.
‘Thai Magic’ – mild flavor with large leaves and compact purple flower clusters. Pinch back to keep compact. Learn more about this variety including sowing information.
‘Thai Siam Queen’ – flavor reminiscent of both cinnamon and anise. Easy to grow with purple flowers on a compact plant. Learn more about this variety including sowing information.
