Favorite Basils

[gdionelli]

I find the most all-purpose basils to be lettuce-leaf and columnar (the trick with the columnar is to find it, since it doesn't grow from seed!) But I also like to have at least one asian basil around, as well as a lemon or lime. My feeling is that you can never have too much basil! And I never met a basil I didn't like.

I was out of town for two weeks and realized that my lettuce-leaf was going to go to seed so I planted some more right before leaving. Perfect timing - I had lovely little seedlings when I returned and my tomatoes are almost ripe.

[shelleybean]

My poor lettuce leaf is about fried from all this heat!

[gdionelli]

I plant my basils in pots that I can move around. When it's this hot it goes into partial shade. So far, so good, although I symphathize with the fried basil!

[gardenmama]

My lettuce leaf and Sweet Genovese basils gave up the ghost to the heat and Japanese beetles a few weeks ago. Thanks fully the Greek Columnar, Siam Queen (Thai) and Lime basil plants are going strong. The Lime basil is so aromatic, all you have to do is brush by the plant and it releases a wonderfully fresh lime fragrance.

Michele-
I can bring you a few sprigs of Siam Queen and Lime if you would like some to root. They should produce nicely for the fall season.

[shelleybean]

Ooh! That would be great, Martha! Thank you! Then maybe I'd be able to see what all the fuss is about with the Siam Queen! 8)

[maupin]

My faves are Holy Basil (great aftertaste and a must in Thai food) and Lime Basil.

[hedwarr]

Genovese... always!!!

[penguingardener]

Genovese is a standard basil for my garden. Am growing Thai, Lemon and Lime for the first time this year.

I really like alternating between the lemon and lime to toss in with my roasted veggies, haven't done much with the thai though.

[Jonathan_E]

I've grown lots of basils but this year I stuck with Genovese. It does, however, decline when it goes to seed. Craig, the Greek Columnar basil sounds great because it doesn't. Where do you get your cutting?

African and thai basils (I have grown Siam Queen) have always seemed a bit tough to me, especially African.

[Grub]

Andrey,

If you read this your ararat basil seeds have sprouted en masse in one of my pots... already nice and purple.

Thanks and will report back when they get some size.

Best, Grub.

[Spatzbear]

Grub, we'll need pictures of this basil this year! I like purple plants. I like all plants, actually.

I will grow Sweet Basil, Mrs. Burns Lemon Basil Genovese, Valentino, and whatever other seeds will come up.

[Grub]

Spatz,

I have another purple sprouting that I saved seeds from last year. It was bought from a nursery. So it will be interesting to see how ararat compares, but when I googled ararat basil I got a lot of good reviews.

Best, G.

[Spatzbear]

Grub, as long as you share pictures with us!

[cosmicgardener]

Genovese all the time - buckets of it to make pesto, bruschetta, pizza - anything with basil. Love the stuff.

[grodematers]

I've noticed lemon basil will keep mosquito's at bay for a little while also. Grab a handful of leaves and crush them up...rub on exposed skin. It is good on fish also8)