In most parts of the country it is now time to plant basil. Yippee! Like many cooks, basil is my favorite herb in the kitchen, and as luck would have it, it’s completely versatile in the garden too. There are dozens of different varieties-ones with red foliage, ruffled ones, columnar types, and even miniature plants with tiny leaves. A few even have different flavors including the lemon, mint, and anise basils.
On the left in back is Holy basil, the chartruese ruffled plant is basil 'Green Ruffles', the red basil is 'Red Ruben' and the basil with small leaves on the right side is 'Mrs. Burns Lemon' basil
Basil plants grow well in containers, can be used among annuals in a flower border, and the miniature varieties can line an herb garden path or be used in decorative patterns. Whether your garden is formal or informal, it can always benefit from a few basil plants. Purchase plants at local nurseries now or order them on line. If you have a long summer season you still have time to start your basil from seeds.
Below are a few ideas to get you started on your basil adventure.
'Red Ruben' and 'Mrs. Burns Lemon' basil alternate with dwarf species zinnias in a garden border at the Kendall-Jackson winery
Mamma chicken sits surrounded by her "hens and chicks" framed by a diamond of lemon and lime thymes. For a culinary bonus, there is an outer border of the dwarf basil, 'Spicy Globe'
Basils in beautiful containers, such as these variegated 'Pesto Perpetuo' are perfect for a formal entry and give off a gentle perfume as visitors brush by
by Rosalind Creasy
diana - Rosalind, the basil looks amazing! I am starting up a children’s garden at my daughter’s school and you have been one of my biggest inspirations! We are including a sensory garden and the herbs are going to be a wonderful addition.
Thank you for all of your beautiful work!
Tandy Arnold - Thanks for a great article with beautiful and inspiring pictures. I planted some Red Ruben two years ago, and it has graciously reseeded itself each year. Last year I read that basil is especially good for depression and so we harvested and froze some for “winter blues.”
Just this past weekend, I thinned out the basil so that I can later transplant them around the house amongst gold, orange and red annuals. I think the colors are going to be stunning!
I put the thinned basil plants (4-6 inches plus roots) in the fridge to make a basil pesto and was wondering if you have used the roots in cooking? I know the stems, leaves and flowers are edible, but couldn’t find any direct information about the roots. Have you read whether or not basil roots are safe to eat—or perhaps you’ve tried them?
Joyce @friendsdriftinn - Thanks for sharing! Love basil! I have several varieties of basil to plant; but started our favorite “Genovese” under the lights. Hardening off outside on the covered porch…thank goodness didn’t put them out…we had hard rains this weekend. Hoping for dry weather over holiday.