This 'Sweet' Basil is the classic, large-leaved variety that is most popularly used in cuisines all over the world. Native to tropical regions of central Africa and Southeast Asia, it is a tender, half-hardy annual when grown outdoors in Britain for summer cropping. Or it can be grown successfully indoors on your windowsill all through the year to ensure a continuous supply of fresh leaves for culinary use. A favourite herb particularly of Italian cooking, its sweet, aromatic leaves are a characteristic ingredient for many dishes from salads and garnishes to soups, casseroles, ragu, pizza, and pasta dishes - and superb for making fresh pesto. The flavour comes from the intense essential oils in the glossy green leaves that are at their best when eaten raw or added to hot dishes at the last minute. Growing your own 'Sweet' Basil from seed, whether indoors or outdoors, will reward you with neat, bushy and vigorous plants that can be cut just when you need a fresh bunch for your cooking - a much better solution than those frustrating supermarket pot herbs that barely last 2-3 weeks and are reluctant to grow back when cut. Sow all year round indoors into pots for your windowsill or for transplanting outdoors from May to July. Or sow outdoors from May to June; they will do best in pots or containers, but can be sown directly into a well-prepared bed or border. All they require is a sunny but sheltered position, in fertile, moist but well-drained soil or compost, then regular cutting to encourage new growth. Supplied as a packet of 450 (approx.) seeds ready to plant indoors or outdoors in their growing position. Mature plants can reach 30cm (12in) height and spread. Harvest indoors all year round or throughout the summer when grown outdoors.
Basil 'Dark Opal' is a purple-bronze leaved basil which is ornamental as well as edible.
Basil 'Purple' is a purple leaved form of sweet basil which is perfect for growing in the veg plot or in a container.
Delicious, sweet basil for making pasta sauces, pizza toppings, adding to salads and more.
Basil 'Crimson King' is so named for its unusual colour. The half-hardy annual's leaves are unremarkable in shape, for they are traditionally cupped in appearance, but notable for their purple tone. This vibrant alternative to green basil is thus an excellent, ornamental herb while still performing well in terms of function and flavour. Ocimum basilicum grows vigorously, whether sown in a vegetable bed or on a windowsill, making it a practical way to spruce up salads, garnishes and other culinary creations even with limited garden space.
Essential for authentic Italian cuisine, this sweet basil is one of the most popular varieties, with a strong scent and distinctive fresh flavour. Try growing Basil on the kitchen windowsill or in convenient containers outside the back door.
Enjoy the fresh, aromatic flavour and convenience of home-grown basil, to use in salads, pasta sauces and whole host of other tasty dishes. This new and easy to grow variety is perfect for the UK kitchen or herb garden - Basil ?British Basil? is much more tolerant to cold weather, wind and even light frosts compared with traditional varieties, yet boasts the same authentic Mediterranean flavour.
The largest-leaved basil variety around - whilst Basil ?Lettuce Leaf? looks different to traditional basil with its large, frilly edged leaves, it has the same great flavour and soft texture. Sow successively indoors for a year-round harvest or grow it outdoors in the herb garden or in pots through the summer months.
Easy to grow, ideal for windowsill growing, and a favourite with cooks and gardeners worldwide. The pungent leaves with a spicy, clove-like aroma, have a wide range of uses not only in the kitchen but when planted near tomatoes basil improves their flavour and helps deter whitefly. Half Hardy Annual.