Basil

What it looks like

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This is our basil July 21 2006, that I planted as seed at the end of April 2006:

How it looks depends on the variety of Basil. The foliage colors can range from pale to deep green, vivid purple and even purple laced with goldish yellow.

Varieties

There are over 40 varieties of Basil.

Height

It can grow up to about two and a half feet high.

Type

It is an annual.

Flowers

Flowers appear as whorls on the ends of branches and are either white or lavender.

Blooms

Blooms in summer.

Uses

basil can be used in cooking, or used dried added to pot pourris, sachets, or in dried winter bouquets.

Taste

It has a spicy, mildly peppery flavor with a trace of mint and clove.

How to use

The leaves can be used dried or fresh in different dishes. Basil is traditional in Italian, Mediterranean and Thai cookery. The leaves can be used cooked or raw and can be crushed, sliced or minced and added to recipes, or added whole to salads.

How to grow

Basil is very tender and is susceptible to frost damage. It is easy to grow from seed.