| The Basil Cultivars | |||
| There are between 50 and 100 cultivars of O. basilicum. The 12 featured here are considered to be the most common used in culinary. Native to the Mediterranean and Mideast areas, most are tender annuals, wilting at the first hint of frost. There are some considered to be perennials. These are typically used as medical remedies or in acts of worship. | |||
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MAGICAL MICHAEL An edible sweet basil with a clearly defined plant size and shape,'Magical Michael plants are uniform and reliably 15 inches tall and 16-17 inches wide. This uniformity is unusual in sweet basil plants. The lush green leaves are aromatic. adding color to any salad. |
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CINNAMON Cinnamon basil has a strong cinnamon scent. Pick the leaves and use fresh or dried in tomato dishes, pasta sauces, vegetables and soups. You can also use in the garden as a companion plant to repel aphids, mites, and tomato hornworms. Grows 18 to 30 inches high and 12 to 18 inches wide. |
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FINO VERDE Fino verde grows as a small, dense bush, suitable for gardening or pots. The leaves are much smaller than those of most basils. The flavor is similar to that of sweet basil, but stronger and spicier. |
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SPICY BUSH GREEK The Basil Spicy Bush Greek is a basil lover's treat Its strong, spicy, basil flavor is a compliment to any tomato dish. The small, mounding plant is excellent for those of us whose garden is only in containers. This small-leaved basil grows 12 inch in diameter, and 6 inches tall. |
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GENOVESE COMPACT Traditional Italian basil. A classic that cant be passed up in your herb garden. Use for pesto, caprese salads, marinades, etc. Leaves are 3 long and nice dark green. This is one of the best basils for containers. Same great flavor as the Genovese. Height 14 18. |
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GREEN RUFFLES The large, serrated, frilled and ruffled leaves are tasty as well as beautiful. Use as traditional basil or as a distinctive garnish or container plant. Grows to 16 inches tall. |
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LARGE LEAF ITALIAN This Genovese-type basil grows 18 to 24 inches high and 12 to 15 inches wide. The dark green, shiny leaves grow up to 3 inches long on a tall, erect plant that is slow to bolt (bloom). Small terminal racemes of pink flowers are borne in summer. |
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MRS. BURNS This distinctive, pink-flowered lemon basil is taller with larger, light green leaves, and an intense lemon flavor and aroma. This is the tallest, fastest-growing and most vigorous variety from our basil selection. Reaches a height of 24" before flowering. Intense lemony flavor and delightful fragrance. |
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SWEET DANI Contains 75% more essential oils than regular lemon basil. Leaves release an intoxicating lemon scent when brushed. Use in salads, soups, teas or potpourris - or as a seasoning for chicken and fish. |
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PURPLE RUFFLES Its leaves are a glossy dark purple, sometimes with splashes of green on its fringed ruffled leaves. Leaves are very aromatic and can be used fresh or dried in a wide variety of ethnic recipes. Plants make a colorful addition to flower gardens and grow well in containers. |
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RED RUBIN A superb ornamental variety for vegetable gardens or containers. It is also quite tasty, delivering a gourmet quality flavor that adds zip to salads and pasta dishes. Plant produces very flavorful purple leaves. It is a small plant at 23" tall suitable for containers. |
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THAI 'SIAM QUEEN' This extra-large Basil sports purple blooms on sturdy, large-leaved plants. The sturdy stems support extra-large, 4-inch-long and 2-inch-wide bright green leaves. Clusters of short terminal racemes of purple flowers are borne on the very top of the plant. Plant will reach 30 to 40 inches tall. |
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