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It’s hard to beat a pot of basil by the kitchen door, where its fresh flavor can be added to sauces and salads all summer long. But basil’s possibilities don’t end there. With so many varieties and cultivars available, Basil is one of the best edible ornamentals around!
Basil varieties go far beyond basic green "Sweet Basil," Ocimum basilicum, to offer a myriad of different scents, colors, flowers, and textures. Whether you'd like to add a citrus fragrance to a patio garden, to border a landscape bed with tidy mounds of green, or to accent a container with ruffled purple leaves, basil could be just the plant you need. Not only is it a versatile, fragrant annual for your beds and containers, it also has a flavorful bonus of edible leaves!
Fragrance
If you start sniffing different basil varieties, you'll notice they don't all smell the same. Some distinctions are more subtle - does 'Spicy Globe' really smell more peppery than 'Fino Verde'? Even "ordinary" culinary basils add a wonderful fragrance to landscape beds. There's no reason to limit them to your vegetable garden!
Other basil varieties have wonderful, pungent fragrances that go far beyond that basic herbal scent from your spice cabinet.
Lemon Basil and 'Lime' Basil varieties have strong citrus scents, especially if you brush up against the foliage. They're wonderful to plant near doorways or in patio containers. Since the most outstanding ornamental quality of these basils to me is their scent, I often tuck them in as "filler" between more striking specimens.
Many basils have an anise scent, like licorice. Thai basils tend to be the most pungent. 'Cinnamon Basil' has an intriguingly spicy scent, with anise overtones. Even my favorite Italian culinary basil has an anise note. On a warm summer day, these aromas blend with the sweet aromas of phlox and oriental lilies for a heady combination.
Color
Not all basils are green! Purple leafed basils vary from deeply colored varieties like ‘X' to varieties like 'Dark Opal' whose leaves may be variably splashed with color. Some such as 'Violetto' are more red or burgundy in tone, while others like 'Purple Ruffles' are so darkly purple as to be nearly black.
'Red Rubin' is a favorite in my garden, both for its color and for the slightly anise flavor of its leaves. I love purple basils not only as an ornamental but also because their leaves turn herbal vinegars a lovely pink color [1].
When growing purple basil from seed, you'll find some varieties don't develop their color until seedlings have grown several sets of leaves. You may also notice an occasional rogue green seedling, which should just be pulled out.
Flowers
On many basil varieties, the small white blooms are generally pinched off before they even form, to keep the flavor of the plant from getting bitter. If you're harvesting them for the table, basils should only be allowed to bloom toward the end of summer for seed saving purposes.[2] But bees and little butterflies will enjoy the blooms on basils that you don't intend to put on your table. And there are some varieties of basil that you should definitely grow just for their blooms.
The gloriously large, purple flowerheads on Thai basils such as 'Siam Queen' are unlike any other basil blooms. I grow a plant or two for use in stir-fry and curry, but I always start extra plants to tuck into my beds and containers, just for their blooms. The lavender flower spikes of ‘Cinnamon basil' are less striking but still very pretty, and I like it in combination with Thai basil. 'Magical Michael' is a newer variety of basil advertised as having spectacular blooms. I ordered seed for it this year, and I'm looking forward to the show.
Textures and forms
Basil leaves can be smooth, puckered or "blistered," ruffled, rounded or pointed. Their size can be small and delicate, or large and sturdy. All these variations provide different visual textures for your garden landscapes and containers.
Compact forms of basil form tidy mounds, wonderful for container plantings and for edging borders. My favorite is 'Minette', a small-leafed variety that grows into an 8 to 12 inch globe without pruning. It has excellent flavor as a culinary basil and is easy to harvest by simply shearing off the outer tips of the stems. This year, I'll also grow 'Pistou', said to be an improved version of 'Minette'.
If you want a compact variety with slightly larger leaves, try the aptly named 'Window Box Basil'. There's even a regular leafed basil variety for devotees with little growing space, 'Italian Cameo'.
Multi-Tasking Annuals
I love the multi-tasking capability of edible ornamentals. Why plant a purple annual just for color when you could plant purple basil for color, fragrance, and to accent summer salads? When you let them flower, both you and the butterflies will enjoy the lavender blooms.
So, start with a pot of basil for your kitchen. But don't stop there! Put the different fragrances, colors, flowers, textures and sizes of all those basil varieties to work in other areas of your garden.
You may end up with 12 kinds of basil in your garden before you know it.
I'd like to thank and acknowledge local herb guru Tom DeBaggio, who first introduced me to the many possibilities of basil. If you want to know everything about basil in its many forms, he and Susan Belsinger coauthored a wonderful book, Basil: An Herb Lover's Guide, c. 1996 from Interweave Press. ISBN-13: 978-1883010195
The PlantFiles entries for the above varieties have links to vendors carrying seeds and plants. Some of my favorite sources for basil seeds include Pinetree Garden Seeds, Park Seeds, and Renee's Gardens. Check The Garden Watchdog for reviews of these and other seed companies.
About Jill M. Nicolaus
Better known as "Critter" on DG, Jill gardens in Frederick, MD. The weather is heating up, and I'm trying to catch up on planting and transplanting. Between the plants enjoying the protection of the deck canopy and those on the patio waiting to be planted out, it looks a little like a nursery right in our own back yard! I love it, and DH is patient with it as long as he can get to the grill... (Images in my articles are from my own photos, unless otherwise credited.)
Posted by critterologist (from Frederick, MD) on March 21, 2008 at 8:42 PM:
Although it's not as ornamental as some of the varieties above, my very favorite culinary variety is an Italian Basil that a friend of mine brought back from Italy several years ago. Its tall form and crinkled green leaves mix well with other plants in a landscape bed, but be sure to plant some close to the kitchen, too.
Since this is just a single packet of seed, I'm going to send it out in a regular envelope rather than a BE and cross my fingers. Thanks to a recent contribution to the postage kitty from a DGer in the herb forum, I've got some extra stamps! So no postage is required for this offer.
This offer is for the first 10 people to respond on this thread (US members only, please). If you've already responded to one of my basil seed offers, please let somebody else have these seeds.
All you have to do is post on this thread to tell me you'd like to try this basil, then Dmail me with your address.
I will mail you a packet of Italian Basil seed.
:-)
...
Posted by critterologist (from Frederick, MD) on March 21, 2008 at 8:46 PM:
Participants:
1. Syrumani
2.
...
Posted by boleslaus (from Chattanooga, TN) on March 28, 2008 at 7:25 PM:
My basil sowing went belly up. I'd love some seeds, but am new on the site. How does one d mail?
Boleslaus
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Posted by critterologist (from Frederick, MD) on March 28, 2008 at 9:48 PM:
Boleslaus, welcome to DG! I'll be happy to send you some Italian basil. :-)
Whoops, I started typing instructions on sending Dmail, then noticed you'd already sent me a note. I'll have your seeds out in Monday's mail!
Depending on what happened with your "belly up" seeds, you might be interested in the "Seed Starting 101" articles I've written, or in my article on preventing "The Dreaded Damping-Off." Good luck!
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Posted by boleslaus (from Chattanooga, TN) on March 29, 2008 at 8:49 AM:
Critter,
Thanks. I'll eview the seed starting article. I think my starting mix may have been too heavy. They didn't sprout and never got the chance to damp off.
Also, do you plant by lunar cycles? I started my first tomatoes, peppers, eggplants, etc during a waning moon and none of them did much. Two weeks later, near the full moon my starts are almost surpassing the earlier ones. Curious.
B
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Posted by critterologist (from Frederick, MD) on March 29, 2008 at 10:36 AM:
I may have to start paying more attention to the moon... you're not the first person to report results like that! Did you know DG now has a "Gardening by the Moon" forum? [HYPERLINK@davesgarden.com]
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Posted by beebonnet (from Coos Bay, OR) on March 29, 2008 at 11:49 AM:
Ha---I found you critter!! Actually, I found your articles yesterday, but I didn't see your offer. So, please count me in
For the first time ever in my gardening years, I am trying to plant by the moon. So, now I will investigate the forum, Gardening by the Moon.
I love DG!
Sue
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Posted by critterologist (from Frederick, MD) on March 29, 2008 at 12:58 PM:
You did indeed find me! I got your Dmail, and I'll get a packet of seeds in the mail to you on Monday. (You're right; no need to send postage on this one.)
:-)
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Posted by beebonnet (from Coos Bay, OR) on March 31, 2008 at 12:14 PM:
Thanks so much, Critter. Can't wait to get them.
Sue
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Posted by Debsroots (from Northwest, MO) on April 10, 2008 at 7:35 AM:
Jill, I wanted you to know that all the different seeds you sent me have come up, and some have been transplanted.
Thanks, Debbie
p.s. I really like all your articles.
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Posted by critterologist (from Frederick, MD) on April 10, 2008 at 10:50 AM:
I'm glad the seeds are doing well for you! And thanks for the compliment... I'm having a lot of fun writing them!
...
Subject: Great Article Critter!!
Posted by dahlianut (from Calgary, AB) on March 20, 2008 at 11:03 AM:
I'm also a herbie and a basil fan and what a coinkidink: I'm trying 'Magical Michael' for the first time too this year. Please keep us posted on how yours does. Thanks.
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Posted by bluekat76 (from Ijamsville, MD) on March 20, 2008 at 11:25 AM:
Magical Michael.....hmmmmm. Who is this Michael? I will be over to check this one out Jill.
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Posted by tcs1366 (from Itasca, IL) on March 20, 2008 at 11:35 AM:
Great article Jill!!
I too LOVE basil, probably my all time fave herb. Last year I tried Lemon, which is great in Italian dishes, or with fresh tomato.
Luckily, i mentioned "basil" in the last Suzy 'piggy' swap and got about 8 varieties [otherwise i'd be posting for the free seeds] but one day i'd love to try the Purple. Maybe next year.
Terese
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Posted by critterologist (from Frederick, MD) on March 20, 2008 at 2:59 PM:
Thanks! This was a fun article to write, and I'm glad to know other people share my obsession enthusiasm!
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Posted by sallyg (from Anne Arundel Co., MD) on March 21, 2008 at 4:21 PM:
Yup another really nice article !
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Posted by girlgroupgirl (from Atlanta, GA) on March 21, 2008 at 4:24 PM:
Love this article, Critter! I try to grow at least 15-20 different basil plants every year, just to try the new ones!!
GGG
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Posted by critterologist (from Frederick, MD) on March 21, 2008 at 4:37 PM:
Ha! I knew I wasn't the only one so obsessed with enthusiastic about basil!
Have you tried 'Magical Michael' yet?
And I'll bet you've tried 'Cameo' -- what did you think? I liked its flavor but thought it looked weird, almost stunted... I guess I'm just used to seeing bigger basil leaves on taller plants!
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Posted by grampapa (from Wheatfield, NY) on March 24, 2008 at 12:04 PM:
Hi, Jill. Great article! It's nice to hear from other basil 'enthusiasts'. I have 8 pots of different varieties that have recently germinated. Just love those basil babies. I think they are the cutest seedlings. I have Minette, cinnamon, lemon, Red Rubin, Thai Siam Queen, Magical Michael, Italian Genovese and Sicilian (several courtesy of Miss Critter). Would grow them just for their decorative qualities and their scent, even if they weren't edible. One of my 'fun' plants (easy, too).
...
Subject: Very interesting article!
Posted by adinamiti (from Bucuresti
(Romania)) on March 20, 2008 at 5:43 AM:
Jill, congratulations for a wonderful and greta article! I never knew there were so many varities of basil, thanks !
Hugs,
Adina
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Posted by Dutchlady1 (from Naples, FL) on March 20, 2008 at 6:48 AM:
Great write up.
...
Posted by wind (from Mount Laurel, NJ) on March 20, 2008 at 8:06 AM:
Hi Critter :)
I'm just starting to expand my annual basil selections. I love growing basil. I especially love it at harvest time; I take in armfulls of cuttings and put them in pots on the counter to enjoy their blooms.
We've always had good 'ol Italian Basil, and I used to pick up a plant or two of a red leaf Basil for added interest. I used to always plant them in our vegetable garden...
but now I've taken it one step further in that I am growing them from seed and I'm planting them as you suggest, in other garden beds!!!
Also, thanks to previous tips from you, I have discovered the seeds are easy to harvest and they germinate quite easily. Now I have, not only the Italian Basil (some seeds are from you!), but I actually know the cultivar of the red I have, which is Red Rubin :) Often times in store purchases they don't mention the cultivar.
Last year we tried Lemon Basil and loved it. Lemon Basil adds a nice twist to traditional pesto; which, works wonderful in chicken and fish dishes. Pesto freezes wonderfully too, so you can enjoy your harvest throughout the winter.
This year we are adding Thai Basil, and Lime Basil...hhhmmmm maybe next year we'll add even more...you sure list alot of basil varieties!
Enjoyed your article!
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Posted by critterologist (from Frederick, MD) on March 20, 2008 at 9:22 AM:
Thanks!
Adina, if you would, please Dmail me about customs regulations for seeds... if it's legal to import them, I'd love to send you some to try!
...
Posted by planolinda (from Plano, TX) on March 23, 2008 at 12:17 PM:
critter i really like your articles! i will try basils and i love the idea of using them as landscaping plants--never knew there was such a variety!
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Posted by Bookerc1 (from Mackinaw, IL) on March 24, 2008 at 12:15 PM:
Mmmm, what I wouldn't give for a plate of garden tomatoes (not the tasteless store-bought ones), fresh basil. and mozzarella. Oh, heaven!
Great article! I can't wait to start harvesting that basil you sent me. I just read your article "Pinch, pinch, pinch" and now have to go hunt for the pesto one you mentioned. I think my nails are green all summer, too! My 9 yo son lives on my sage, though. He has to tear off a few leaves every time he is outside. He keeps trying to convince my 6 yo that he likes it, too, but the younger one just can't handle the fuzzy texture in his mouth! Just give me my basil and I'm happy, though.
Anyway, just wanted to say I loved your article!
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Posted by critterologist (from Frederick, MD) on March 24, 2008 at 12:29 PM:
Thanks, Linda & Booker!
I love the idea that Booker's kids are nibbling their way through the garden in the summer... here's hoping they'll stop every so often to pull a weed! LOL
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Subject: Only grown ordinary basil? Seed offer
Posted by critterologist (from Frederick, MD) on March 20, 2008 at 12:16 AM:
Good morning!
This offer is for DG members in the US who have only grown "ordinary" green or sweet basil in their garden before. If this article has encouraged you to try different varieties, I want to send you some seeds to make it happen!
The first FIVE people to respond on this thread will receive a bubble envelope with 5 packs (6 varieties!) of basil seed.
Each BE will contain one pack each of Genuine Italian Basil, Purple Basil, and Sprite Mix (Lemon and Lime Basils).
In addition, I will put in a pack of either Thai or Cinnamon Basil, and a pack of small-leafed basil (either 'Minette' or 'Window Box'). If you have a preference about which of those alternatives you'd like, let me know.
You don't have to be a subscriber, but you do have to be a member to respond to this offer. Sorry, but I'm limiting this to US members to keep postage and customs considerations simple. If you've already responded to an offer for basil seeds from me this year, please let somebody else have these.
All you have to do is to Dmail me your address and then sow your seeds when they arrive!
:-)
Jill (aka "Critter")
To Dmail me your address, click on "critterologist" to the left of this post to go to my member page. There, you'll see a link to click to send me a Dmail.
Posted by Debsroots (from Northwest, MO) on March 20, 2008 at 7:59 AM:
Gosh...am I #1. I will take you up on the offer.
Deb
Sending you my information.
...
Posted by critterologist (from Frederick, MD) on March 20, 2008 at 9:20 AM:
Excellent! Who's next?
:-)
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Posted by llilyfan (from South Central, IA) on March 20, 2008 at 9:22 AM:
I have NO Basil, can I get some seeds too? This is the year I have decided to grow some food plants in my ornamental gardens. I would love to try your Basil seeds.
I will d-mail you my info.
Thank you so much!
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Posted by critterologist (from Frederick, MD) on March 20, 2008 at 9:26 AM:
Of course!
If you're going to start growing basil, you should start with more than one kind! I hope you'll soon be "hooked" on their aromas and flavors. They're pretty, too!
...
Posted by LariAnn (from Miami, FL) on March 20, 2008 at 10:22 AM:
Jill,
Please put me on for some of those fabulous Basil!
Watch for my d-mail
LariAnn
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Posted by digigirl (from Sugar Land, TX) on March 20, 2008 at 12:49 PM:
Ooh, me, me!! I'd love to have some! Sending a D-mail now!
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Posted by critterologist (from Frederick, MD) on March 20, 2008 at 2:56 PM:
:-)
I've got one more set left...
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Posted by gloria125 (from Greensboro, AL) on March 20, 2008 at 4:08 PM:
Me. I would like to try.
gloria
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Posted by critterologist (from Frederick, MD) on March 20, 2008 at 4:14 PM:
Gloria, you've got it!
Please Dmail me with your address.
These will go out tomorrow.
Happy Sowing!
:-)
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Posted by gloria125 (from Greensboro, AL) on March 20, 2008 at 4:18 PM:
Critter. I just bought a bunch of basil seed at the store before I saw your article. As I said, I am going "basil bonkers" this year. Thanks for your offer, and Ill be contacting you about how to save seed to do this again next year.
YAY!
gloria
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Posted by critterologist (from Frederick, MD) on March 20, 2008 at 4:26 PM:
Gloria, you've got Dmail... I just took a look at your list, and you've already got most of what's in that last packet.
So, there's still one set of seeds available. :-)
It's quite likely that there will be an article later this summer about collecting and saving basil seeds...
...
Posted by gloria125 (from Greensboro, AL) on March 20, 2008 at 4:30 PM:
Critter: what about Chocolate Basil? Can you grow it from seeds?
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Posted by critterologist (from Frederick, MD) on March 20, 2008 at 4:32 PM:
I haven't come across Chocolate Basil... If you find seeds, I hope you'll save seeds from your plants and share! It sounds like a fun one.
...
Posted by gloria125 (from Greensboro, AL) on March 20, 2008 at 4:42 PM:
this recipe doesn't specify 'Chocolate Basil' but it does use basil!
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Posted by critterologist (from Frederick, MD) on March 20, 2008 at 4:59 PM:
Sounds tempting! I'm betting that would work especially well with Cinnamon Basil or maybe one of the anise-scented purple basils... an infusion of purple basil might even turn the mousse pink!
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Posted by Sharran (from Calvert City, KY) on March 20, 2008 at 8:47 PM:
Great article, Critter.
I too am a fan of basil.
Thanks.
...
Posted by critterologist (from Frederick, MD) on March 20, 2008 at 8:52 PM:
The more varieties I grow, the bigger a fan I become! I'm glad you liked the article. :-)
There's still 1 packet of seed waiting for a "basil newbie" to claim it!
...
Posted by gloria125 (from Greensboro, AL) on March 20, 2008 at 9:07 PM:
I can't wait for the first basil/tomato sandwich. I have always used the regular basil, but this year there is the "lettuce leaf" basil. MMMMMM!
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Posted by critterologist (from Frederick, MD) on March 20, 2008 at 9:14 PM:
I grew some last year, as a novelty... it's nice to mix into a salad, quite mild. And the leaves really are huge!
...
Posted by gloria125 (from Greensboro, AL) on March 20, 2008 at 9:32 PM:
More talk about Chocolate Basil! But where can I get a sprig?
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Posted by Sharran (from Calvert City, KY) on March 20, 2008 at 9:58 PM:
Critter if you still have seeds left....me me me.
...
Posted by Sharran (from Calvert City, KY) on March 20, 2008 at 10:00 PM:
And Basil on Pizza......just fresh basil and mozzarella, maybe portabello mushrooms. Now that is good! Lots of olive oil...no tomato sauce.
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Posted by critterologist (from Frederick, MD) on March 20, 2008 at 10:09 PM:
Sharran... if you're a fan already and you've only grown "regular" green basil, you've got some fun in store!
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Posted by critterologist (from Frederick, MD) on March 20, 2008 at 11:37 PM:
OK, we've still got one offer remaining!
If you haven't tried anything other than standard green basil (sweet basil, genovese, etc), and if you haven't responded to any of my other basil offers, and you want to try some thing different this year... Please post, and that last packet will go out to you!
...
Posted by Syrumani (from San Antonio, TX) on March 21, 2008 at 7:54 PM:
Jill - I read your article when it came out, and it got me in the mood for basil! I received some Lime Basil seeds in a trade which I'm going to start this weekend, and today during lunch I bought a Thai basil plant. If the offer is still open, I'll take the last packet . . .
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Posted by critterologist (from Frederick, MD) on March 21, 2008 at 8:45 PM:
I'm sorry for the confusion! That last packet is going out to Sharran, after all. We figured out this evening that while she had tried basil before, she'd only really tried the green kind (the purple plant that perished doesn't count!), and the seeds are hers. I'm sorry I got my wires crossed... I really did think I had an extra packet. :-)
This offer is closed.
I do have plenty of Italian Basil left, so I've posted another offer here: [HYPERLINK@davesgarden.com]
...
Posted by Mrs_Ed (from Whiteside County, IL) on March 24, 2008 at 8:22 AM:
For those of you getting the packets, be sure to try the lemon or lime on Cucumbers. I make that cucumber salad that usually uses vinegar. Instead I use lime juice and lime basil. It's really really refreshing.
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Posted by critterologist (from Frederick, MD) on March 24, 2008 at 9:39 AM:
Ooh, good tip! I made a lemon-herb vinegar last year that's great on cukes, too... bet it would be even better with fresh lemon or lime basil!
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Posted by Mrs_Ed (from Whiteside County, IL) on March 24, 2008 at 9:42 AM:
mmm hmmm!! *smacks lips*
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Posted by critterologist (from Frederick, MD) on March 24, 2008 at 9:51 AM:
Now you've got my mouth watering for fresh, crispy little cucumbers, too... I love the crunchy sweetness of those little pickling cukes... like tomatoes, I've been known to eat cucumbers while standing out in the garden. Having fresh basil nearby makes garden snacking even better! (Imagine a sun-warm cherry tomato and a new little basil leaf -- heaven!)
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Posted by Mrs_Ed (from Whiteside County, IL) on March 24, 2008 at 10:07 AM:
haha. me too. Even Radishes. Hose them off and chomp on them. My Dad yells at me when I eat all his peas too.
I just bought a HUGE clump of dill the other day and some cucumbers. I'm going to make up a salad with that. My mom also brought home some fresh tomatoes from Florida. yum yum yum.
Darn. Now I'm hungry.
...
Posted by critterologist (from Frederick, MD) on March 24, 2008 at 10:13 AM:
There's no better way to eat peas than straight off the vine! I need to plant some peas soon... :-)
no reason to limit them to your vegetable garden!
Color
Flowers
seed saving purposes.[2] But bees and little butterflies will enjoy the blooms on basils that you don't intend to put on your table. And there are some varieties of basil that you should definitely grow just for their blooms.
Compact forms of basil form tidy mounds, wonderful for container plantings and for edging borders. My favorite is 
Multi-Tasking Annuals
