A PERENNIAL herb found wild throughout the Balkans. Highly fragrant. It has been gathered since ancient times as a condiment and for tea. Masses of white or light pink flowers are very showy and bee attracting.
A flowering PERENNIAL growing to 70cm with lemon scented leaves similar looking to mint and in summer small, nectar-rich flowers appear.
Prefers well-drained soil in a full sun or semi-shaded position.
Leaves are edible and medicinally it is commonly used household remedy as both a tonic herb and for its soothing, anti-anxiety actions.
Bush basil is an ANNUAL growing to 30cm with a tidy rounded growth habit and tiny, light green leaves. The plant prefers full sun in a moist, but well-drained soil.
Leaves, which are mild in flavour, are used like common basil.
An ANNUAL growing to around 70cm, purple basil is a cultivar of Sweet Basil, and has oval dark purple leaves, reddish stems and purple flowers. Used much in the same way as common basil, it has a stronger flavour and its pretty leaf colour makes it an appealing herb to add to salads or as a fresh garnish.
An ANNUAL growing to 60cm with bright green lemon-and-basil-scented leaves and white flowers. Used fresh in salads or as a garnish, with its lemon flavour it pairs beautifully with fruit dishes.
Sweet basil is an ANNUAL growing to around 50cm with oval green leaves and white flowers. It can be grown as a PERENNIAL in warm climates, but dislikes the cold and will succumb to frost. Basil prefers well-drained moist soil in a full sun position away from cold drafts.
Leaves are edible and used fresh or cooked, or dried in various dished, notabley Italian cooking. Pairs well with tomato dishes, garlic, eggplant or peppers. Seeds are edible too.
Thai Basil is an annual plant with bright green leaves that tend to purple at the flower tips, and characteristic purple stems. The flavour of Thai basil is that of basil with a hint of aniseed. It is often used in Thai cuisine.
An ANNUAL growing to 45cm, it is sometimes known as Anise Basil or Liquorice basil because of its spicy anise- and liquorice-like flavour. It has shiny, green, slightly serrated narrow leaves, purple stems, and pink-purple flowers.
This EVERGREEN TREE grows up to 12m, but is very slow to grow, and is often pruned to shrub height. Bay leaves are green and glabrous leaves with entire margins and aromatic. The plant prefers a well-drained soil and can grow in full sun or semi-shade. The spicy and aromatic leaves are used either fresh or dried and added to stews and soups and forms an essential ingredient in “Bouquet Garni”. It has a long history as a folk medicine.
Black cumin is an ANNUAL flowering plant that grows to 40cm with finely divided feathery leaves and attractive flowers which are pollinated by bees. Distinct inflated capsules contain numerous seeds which are used as a spice and medicine.