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.
Delicious, sweet basil for making pasta sauces, pizza toppings, adding to salads and more.
Basil 'Purple' is a purple leaved form of sweet basil which is perfect for growing in the veg plot or in a container.
Basil 'Dark Opal' is a purple-bronze leaved basil which is ornamental as well as edible.
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.
With a flavour that tastes of mint and cloves, Basil 'Sweet Green' compliments courgette and tomato dishes and is quite legendary in pesto. Large aromatic leaves are produced on neat bushy plants. The fresh basil leaves make a delicious addition to salads and pasta dishes. Height: 45cm (18). Spread: 40cm (16)
A wonderful new basil from British breeding of Thai and Genovese crosses. Basil 'Christmas' produces large glossy leaves with a unique fruity, mulled-wine aroma associated with Christmas time. The aromatic foliage adds flavour to all manner of dishes, particularly Italian recipes. A profusion of stunning purple flowers makes this herb a decorative, edible pot plant for the kitchen windowsill, the flower border, or for containers outside. Height: 30cm (12). Spread: 30cm (12)
Neat, compact mounds of small leaves with a most delicious flavour make Basil 'Aristotle' a stunning ornamental, edible pot plant. The aromatic foliage adds flavour to all manner of dishes, particularly Italian recipes. This Greek basil is perfect for growing on the kitchen windowsill or in containers outside the back door. Height: 20cm (8). Spread: 30cm (12)
A particularly fragrant selection and a distinct improvement over other Thai Basils. Basil 'Siam Queen' has an extra large leaf with an intense liquorice fragrance. The bright green basil leaves make an attractive foil for its purple-red stems which bear violet-pink flowers. Superb as a container plant on the patio or you could try growing basil on the kitchen windowsill and in convenient containers outside the back door. Height: 45cm (18). Spread: 30cm (12)