The International Herb Association has awarded the title of Herb Plant of the Year 2003 to Basil. We are very excited! Basil is the most popular selling herb capturing approximately 22% of the market. There is good reason for this! Basil is used as a culinary, medicinal, aromatic, ornamental and cosmetic herb as well as a companion plant in the vegetable garden. There many varieties and AlwaysSummerHerbs offers 14 of the best.

History
basilisk, a reptile who could kill with a glance or a breath. If you want to know what a basilisk looks like tune into the Harry Potter movies.
Contrarily, in India, people worshiped basil more highly than kings. It is a sacred herb dedicated to the gods. Sprigs were placed on the breast of the dead to protect them from evil in the next world and to offer them entrance to paradise. We certainly like this historic view of basil much better!
More recently, basil is associated with a sign of love. When a woman puts a pot of basil on her sill she is ready to receive her suitor. Another tradition holds that when a man gives a woman a sprig of basil, she will fall in love with him and never leave him. Basil is native to India, Africa and Asia and is cultivated world-wide for commercial use.

Description
Basil is an annual herb with leafy stems that have a bushy habit and grow to 1 to 2 feet. The leaves are very aromatic, 2 to 3 inches in length and generally smooth and oval that curl inward along mid-rib. Basil flowers in July and August and the flowers are usually 1/2 inch long and two-lipped and form racemes at the top of the stem. Ideal growing conditions include a slightly acidic soil (pH=6.0), rich, moist well drain soil in full sun. Think Mediterenean! There a many varieties of basil developed to suit your needs and desire.

Varieties and Uses
Basil is found in several species and many varieties. Your selection will depend on your use of the herb, whether it is culinary, medicinal, ornamental or aromatic. Because basil is a member of the mint family, herbalists recommend it for digestive complaints. Prior to using any herb for medicinal value, however, do your research so that you know the proper uses and potential side effects (see education links). Basil is mostly used for its culinary versatility. It has a rich, spicy and mildly peppery flavor with a trace of mint and cloves and can be used dried or fresh. Consequently, basil is traditionally used in Italian, Mediterranean (Africa, Middle East), Greek, Thai and Vietnamese recipes with all meats, beans, pasta, rice, tomatoes, cheese and eggs. WOW! If you can spare, cut a few stems and use in a fresh flower bouquet. Also great in sachets and potpourris (use basil listed as aromatic). Basil has long been recommended by gardeners as a companion plant to enhance the growth of peppers and tomatoes. Try several varieties in your garden for a good mix. Here are some suggestions!
Basil Genovese-Intensely scented strain of sweet basil, culinary (gourmet trade), aromatic and ornamental. Most common and popular variety grown.
Basil African Blue-Attractive purplish-blue cast, strong growth habit and sweet camphor scent. Aromatic, ornamental, cosmetic also used as an insect repellent. Not for cooking!
Basil Cinnamon-Sharp cinnamon flavor and fragrance; culinary, aromatic.
Basil Ebony-Culinary,aromatic; ornamental with dark purple 'black' leaves. Especially attractive in vinegars and is sachets.
Basil Magical Michael-All-American Winner 2002; Ornamental; aromatic; culinary; compact lush foliage with purple button size flowers; great for container gardens and garden plants.
Basil Purple Ruffles-American Winner - Striking ornamental, culinary-excellent in vinegar and as a garnish; Can throw purple and green variegated leaves that are curled along the edges and pinkish purple flowers. Somewhat temperamental to grow but worth the effort.
Basil Red Rueben-Striking ornamental-mahogany red foliage (flat leaves), culinary with a sweet spice flavor; great as an ornamental and use as a fresh green in salads.
Basil Siam Queen-All American Winner 1997 - Striking ornamental green with purple stem, culinary, aromatic with licorice fragrance. Excellent Thai basil; use with a curry paste.
Basil Sweet Dani-All American Winner for 1998 - Ornamental, culinary with a lemon fragrance, this strain flowers two weeks later than standard lemon basil to allow for more foliage harvest; Aromatic and great in vinegars.
Basil Blue Bush-Ornamental; culinary; excellent in container gardens.
Basil Columnar-A perennial variety for zones 7 through 9 (lucky you!!)2-4 feet tall upright bush form, ornamental; aromatic; culinary.
Basil Spicy Globe-Culinary with a spicy flavor and striking fragrance, ornamental with a uniform rounded mass of tiny ovate foliage.
Basil Lemon-Lemon scented basil for culinary, ornamental and aromatic use; great in vinegars and as a fresh green in salad.
Basil Oase-Newer variety with a compact habit, small green leaves with white flowers culinary, ornamental and aromatic; Very pretty plant.
Basil Oman-Medium habit, Dark purple leaves with purple flowers culinary, ornamental and aromatic. Striking plant.
Basil Queenette-Rated the most aromatic and flavorful of the Thai basils. Essential in Vietnamese and Thai cooking.
Basil SpiceInteresting form of basil with a strong spicy fragrance. Great in Salsa!

Cultivation
Basil is grown from seed and germinates readily in soil temperatures between 75 and 85 degrees F. Basil is susceptible to fungal diseases and must be sown and grown in a well ventilated area. Plant outside when the weather gets warm. Basil likes well drained, rich soil. Mulch after the plant is established to keep the soil moist and warm and to discourage weeds. Dont mulch until the soil has warmed up. Pruning basil regularly is essential to delay flowering and obtain maximum life from the plant. Basil can be harvested until the first frost.