B A S I L V A R I E T I E S These are merely general categories. They'll vary a bit, depending on the source you read. For example, I've seen Let- tuce-Leaf listed as a variety instead of a group and Opal listed as a Scented Basil in one catalogue & a Sweet Basil in another. Take them for whatever they're worth. BUSH BASILS (Ocimum basilicum 'minimum') are a group of up- right, bushy plants covered with aromatic leaves. Very orn- amental, since the leaves are in good proportion to the over- all size & shape, somewhat like a bonsai tree. Especially good for containers & borders. Fine Green - largest of the bush types 12-18" tall and 12" wide. Leaves are 1/2" long, growing in compact clusters. Retains flavor even after flowering. Green Bouquet - same familiar scent of sweet basil, but with a more compact ball-shaped growth habit, 8- 12" high. Leaves 1/4-1/2" in length. Spicy Globe - smallest & most compact of this category. Tiny, umbrella-shaped growth habit, 4-6" in height & width. Leaves bright green, 1/4" long. Excell- ent kitchen windowsill plant. LETTUCE-LEAFS (O. b. 'crispum') are the giants of basils. Al- though the leaves are large, their flavor is milder than other basils. But this is a plus: they're excellent for long cooking recipes like tomato sauce. Also good for wrapping or stuffing with other foods. Allow lots of room between plants, as much as 18". Mammoth - largest of all lettuce-leafs. Foliage 4-8" long & almost as wide. Plants get 18" tall. Seedhead does not develop as quickly as bush or sweet varieties. Scent similar to sweet basil, but flavor is milder. Napoletano - an Italian strain with large crinkled leaves draping from the main stem. This habit gives the plant a tropical appearance. Slightly smaller than mammoth. White flowers appear later than other basils. Green Ruffles - large crinkly leaves with serrated edges. Plants vigorous, but mild-flavored. Close cousin to 'Purple Ruffles'. Together they make an excellent ornamental combination. PURPLE BASILS (O. b. 'purpurascens') are so striking in appearance, that they are frequently grown strictly as ornamentals. Flowers are soft lavender color. Provides beautiful contrast in any garden, flower arrangement, or potpourri. Makes colorful vinegars and a nice accent in salads. Opal - the showy purple leaves made this an All-America winner. Developed in 1962 by crossing a colorful Turkish variety with aromatic sweet basil. Needs a bit of encouragement, but once established will reach 10-12" tall & 8-10" wide. Purple Ruffles - similar to 'Opal' in color & form, this variety is a more vigorous grower with larger leaves. Leaves are sharply notched & crinkled. 18-24" high with lavender to rose colored flowers. Another All-America winner. RARE BASILS are not generally suited for culinary use. Some are grown in this country as natural insect repellents. Not considered as ornamental as other varieties listed here. But if you're a real basil enthusiast, your sense of adventure should entice you to experiment with them. Holy (O. b. 'canum'/'sanctum') - grayish-green leaves are small & fuzzy with a decide- ly sweet, clove-like aroma. Lavender flowers. 18" high. Camphor (O. 'kilimandscharium') - this native of Kenya has a strongly medicinal scent. A tea made from its grayish- green leaves is sometimes used for stomachaches and colds. Flowers white to light purple & are attract- ive to bees. Give this 5' tall plant plenty of room. Peruvian (O. 'micranthemum') - traditionally used in cooking, but Americans may find it too sweet & medicinal. Leaves flat, bright green with few flowers. 12-18" tall. Thrysiflora (O. 'thrysiflora') - originally from India, this variety is grown for its ornamental seedhead. Its triangle shape easily dis- tinguishes it from other basils. Branches reach the height of the main stem, fo- rming a series of V's. Seed head is a compact mound of purple flowers. SCENTED BASILS (O. b. 'odoratum') are the "copycats" of the basil family. Use them wherever you want a hint of something different. Anise - fringed leaves are dark green with a hint of mul- berry. The rosy lavender flower stalks make this a good choice as an ornamental also. This licorice- flavored plant reaches 16" high. Cinnamon - merely brushing against this plant will fill the air with its spicy scent. Its dark green, purple- veined leaves and rosy pink flowers brighten any spot you choose to grow it. This vigorous plant gets 12-18" tall and 8-10" wide. The flavor of dried product is nowhere as good as fresh. Try in potpourris too. Lemon (O. 'americanum') - light green, narrow leaves. Reaches 12" high and 8-10" wide. Introduced to the U.S. from Thailand in 1940. Lemon basil is a bit harder to grow than other basils, since it doesn't transplant well and tends to go to seed easily. Keep seedheads pruned for a more vigorous plant. '"Mrs. Burns" Lemon' is a preferred var- iety. SWEET BASILS (O. b.) are the most familiar & widely grown type. Leaves are medium green, shiny, and slightly ridged. Most American companies list these as merely "sweet basil", but a few excellent European strains exist (such as Genovese) that are slow to bolt and less likely to become bitter after cooking. Common - a distinctive clove-like scent & oval-shaped leaves are characteristic of common basil. The leaf edges turn inward & upward slightly along the center spine, forming a point at the end. They get 2-3" long and up to 1" wide. White flowers form on a center stalk, but should be pinched off for maximum flavor. Sweet Genovese - a vigorous & productive variety reaching 12- 18" tall & 8-12" wide. The long, glossy, almond-shaped leaves are preferred for their true, sweet flavor. S O U R C E S Most of the major seed companies have a small selection of basil. But to insure a good variety of choices (and the correct species), those companies that specialize in herbs are your best bet. The author encourages you to patronize local businesses whenever possible, but don't neglect the larger mail order sources. They usually have a wider select- ion of both seeds & plants. Some charge from $2-4 for their catalog. The better ones are something of an education in themselves & generally worth it (especially if they deduct that cost on your first order). The following companies have been recommended by a trusted source or the author has dealt with them directly. LOCAL Golden Trowel Herb Farm Holder's Herbs 18428 S.E. 59th P.O Box 184 Newalla, OK. 74857 Choctaw, OK. 73020 (405) 391-GROW (ask for Tom) (405) 390-8513 (ask for Rita) MAIL ORDER Companion Plants Richters 7247 N. Coolville Ridge Rd. Goodwood, Ontario, Canada Athens, OH. 45701 L0C 1A0 (614) 592-4643 (416) 640-6677 Sandy Mush Herb Nursery Shepherd's Garden Seeds Rt. 2 Surrett Cove Rd. 30 Irene St. Leicester, NC. 28748 Torrington, CT. 06790 (704) 683-2014 (203) 482-3638 Taylor's Herb Garden Well-Sweep Herb Farm 1535 Lone Oak Rd. 317 Mt. Bethel Rd. Vista, CA. 92084 Port Murray, NJ. 07865 (619) 727-3485 (908) 852-5390 H A P P Y H E R B G A R D E N I N G ! !