Herbs in Our Garden

Basil (Ocimum basilicum)

Basil, also called great basil, basil is a culinary herb of the family Lamiaceae (the mints). Basil is a great herb to begin an herb garden. There are multiple varieties. Sweet basil is the most familiar and accessible. It is a vigorous, bushy herb that grows to about 18 to 24 inches tall and wide. It has smooth, bright green leaves. In contrast to sweet basil, ‘Mammoth’ basil is exceptionally large with smooth green leaves ideal for using in hors d’oeuvres to wrap fillings. Whereas ‘Spicy Globe’ basil forms dense mounds of tiny flavorful foliage only 6 to 10 inches tall. A purple leaf variety such as ‘Red Rubin’ or ‘Red Freddy’ will add color.

Basil, like other herbs, requires full sun and well-drained soil. It may be grown from seed indoors and transplanted outside after the last frost. It is a tender annual. Regular harvesting promotes bushy growth. Basil is popular for many reasons, among which are its aromatic nature and range of flavor from clove to citrus making it an ideal culinary herb. Basil has been cultivated for over 5,000 years. It is native to tropical regions of Asia and has been acclimatized in Europe. It was introduced to Italy by the Romans.

The name “basil” comes from the Greek word basileus, which means “king” or “royalty.” Basil is a staple of Mediterranean cuisine and is used to flavor vegetables, salads, pasta, meats, sauces, fish, legumes, wines, and grappas. Atypically, basil was used to treat a variety of ailments before it was used as a culinary herb. Recent research suggests that basil has antibacterial properties and may help lower cholesterol and blood pressure.