Basil is a herb grown not only commercially but also in gardens and even indoors. It is represented by annual herbaceous plants with a rich diversity of species. Breeders have developed numerous cultivars from typical varieties. Their main differences form the basis for classifications based on growth habit, color, aroma, and care.
Varietal diversity
Spicy shoots, both dried and fresh, are used in the cuisines of many cultures. The combination of basil and oregano has long been a culinary classic. This herbaceous plant is easy to maintain and, with standard care, produces a bountiful harvest of greenery in gardens and backyards. Many varieties are suitable for growing in pots on a windowsill. The key is warmth and good lighting.
An important consideration is the choice of variety. Bushes can vary greatly from one another. There are several classifications of varieties, based on distinctive characteristics such as height, color, and aroma. Based on the first characteristic, varieties are divided into three groups: low-growing (up to 30 cm), medium-height (30 to 60 cm), and tall (over 60 cm). Based on the color of their shoots, basil is classified as either green or purple. Based on aroma, the following varieties are distinguished:
- cloves;
- peppery;
- clove-pepper,
- aniseed
- menthol.
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Breeders continue to develop new varieties of this herb. When choosing, it's important to consider the variety's regionalization—its adaptability to the agroclimatic conditions of the growing region. For example, basil species from the eugenol family grow only in countries with mild climates, due to the genetics of the type species. The latter is native to South Africa.
Dark Opal
This variety is represented by annual plants up to 40 cm tall. Short shoots are covered with medium-sized, purple leaf blades. The foliage is rich in essential oils and phytoncides.
The spicy aroma retains its intensity even when dried. It is used as a seasoning for fish and meat dishes. It is valued for its medicinal properties:
- tonic;
- stimulating the work of the gastrointestinal tract;
- appetite stimulating.
Marquis
A mid-season, low-growing basil. The bushes are compact. The foliage is tightly pressed to the strong shoots. The petiolate leaves are small, elliptical, and green, with a sparsely toothed margin. Each plant weighs 150 g. With proper cultivation practices, including regular watering and fertilizing, the yield per square meter is 2.0-2.5 kg.
"Velvet"
The plant is well-foliated. It takes 65 days from germination to maturity. This qualifies the variety as mid-season. Another classification places it in the dwarf group, as the shoots that form the branched bushes do not exceed 25 cm.
The leaves are elongated and smooth (up to 8 cm). A single plant weighs 300 g. It has a menthol aroma and retains its qualities even when frozen.
Vanilla Scent
The tall bushes consist of graceful shoots with dense foliage. The foliage has serrated edges and is very succulent. Young plants are green, but by the end of the growing season, the foliage turns purple. The average yield per bush is 200 g. This variety loves moisture and light, and prefers windless locations. The shoots require pinching to encourage branching.
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An annual plant with tall shoots that, along with rich green foliage, are harvested throughout the summer. It is used both dried and fresh.
Excellent for pickling thanks to its piquant lemon flavor, which blends harmoniously with the tart aroma of camphor. The ovoid leaves are 2-3 cm long.
Russian Giant
An early cultivar, it blooms in just 50 days after germination. Large-leaf basil has a pleasant clove-like flavor. The variety owes its name to the impressive size of its foliage, which densely covers stems up to 60 cm tall. The herb's seasoning adds a piquant flavor to salads and soups, complements fish and meat dishes, and pairs beautifully with garlic sauce.
"Wonderful"
An attractive plant with smooth, olive-green leaves with purple veins and a pleasant cinnamon aroma. The shoots are rich in vitamins and minerals.
Used as a seasoning for fruit salads, sweet pies, and jellies. Grown from seedlings or direct sowing. basilica in open primingSensitive to lack of moisture.
"Troll"
The variety was bred on the basis of the type species Sweet basil. In 2000, it was added to the State Register of Breeding Achievements of the Russian Federation and is approved for cultivation throughout the country.
'Troll' is prized for its tolerance of sudden temperature changes. The size and shape of the bush (semi-spreading, 40 cm tall) make it an attractive window plant. The stem is purple and highly branched. Each plant weighs 170–280 g.
Three benefits of basil: it's easy to grow, it's good for your health, and it makes a stunning interior decoration.
Basil: Growing from seeds in open ground