Basil (Ocimum basilicum) is called herbe royale in France and is a staple in the Italian herb garden. This popular herb, with its interesting history and the numerous varieties available, should be a mainstay in any herb garden.
Basil is a symbol of love and romance in Italy. (It does seem that Italian cooks can whip up a basil pesto with a great deal of love.) It was once believed that a woman would fall in love with the man who gave her a sprig of basil. However, there were some who thought basil might represent something a bit more malignant. These people believed that the name came from “basilisk,” which was the mythical reptile that could kill with a look or a breath. Some thought that the name came from the Greek word for king, which is “basileus.” (The ancient Greeks, however, thought the herb represented hate and misfortune.) Basil was a sacred herb in India and was dedicated to the gods Vishnu and Krishna.) Sprigs of basil were placed or planted on the graves of the dead by the Egyptians, Persians, and Malaysians.
Traditionally, basil was used medicinally for a variety of digestive complaints. A tea made with basil is suppose to aid digestion after a meal, plus help to expel gas.
Basil’s main claim to fame, however, is in the kitchen. Sweet basil (O. basilicum) is the most popular and commonly used in tomato sauces and pestos. However, there are numerous other varieties, which you will want to try. One of my favorites is cinnamon basil (O. basilicum ‘Cinnamon’). I use this in fresh salsas. (The slight hint of cinnamon adds a unique flavor to many Mexican dishes.) Be sure to plant this basil at the front of a border or along a garden path, where its scent will be released into the air whenever someone brushes against it. For a lighter flavor, try lemon basil; however, I recently found a lime basil that I like even better. (I tend to use the lime basil in everything.)
A native of India, Africa, and Asia, basil is an annual, which is quite easy to grow in the garden or in containers. It does not react well to the cold, so you will want to wait until there is no longer any danger of frost before planting in your herb garden. You can start your basil indoors from seed; however, I just find it easier to buy seedlings. Plant your basil in rich, well-drained soil in full sun. (Basil loves the heat, so you really do not need to mulch it unless you are in drought conditions.) You might also be interested in introducing some of the more ornamental basils into your landscape; e.g., ‘Holy basil’ (or O. sanctum, which has coarse gray-green leaves) and ‘Purple Ruffles’ (which has shiny dark maroon leaves). A good variety of basil for container gardening is ‘Minimum,’ which is a compact bush form.
Whatever variety of basil you choose – and I would encourage you to choose more than one – you will quickly discover why basil is probably the most popular herb in the garden … even if that garden is on your windowsill. Basil should definitely be a mainstay in your herb garden.