Basil varieties: types and descriptions of the best, growing with photos

All varieties of basil differ in leaf color, bush height, aroma and taste. Each type and variety of basil has different care requirements. You can grow it in open beds, in a greenhouse and even at home. Some varieties are designed for marinades and sauces, others are added during the preparation of hot dishes, salads and soups, you can choose the type suitable for baking.

Classified by color

The main indicator by which varieties are distinguished is color. The most basic are the two colors of stems and leaves - purple and green. After them, breeders began to breed varieties of basil with other shades.

The difference between a green and purple plant is not only the color of the green mass.

The delicate flavor of the green leaves makes them suitable for desserts. The purple group of plants in this case is not suitable. Purple basil greens are best added to dishes with meat and fish, soups, marinades. Purple mass gives the food a spicy, rich taste.

Basil with green leaves has a pleasant, delicate, delicate aroma. Many varieties are used to make refreshing drinks. Purple varieties are characterized by a strong, pungent odor.

Green

Spicy plant with green leaves is characterized by a special, delicate aroma and delicate taste. The color of the leaves can be dark or light green. Used during the preparation of various dishes.

Description of the basil variety Green fragrant. After sowing shoots appear quickly and amicably. Bushes grow up to 42 cm, branch well. The leaves are formed large, smooth bright green in color with a pleasant spicy aroma.

A beautiful bush that will decorate any suburban area near the Basil Thai Queen. The height of branched bushes reaches 50 cm in height. The leaves are large, elongated, dark green. Differs in beautiful flowering with the formation of large inflorescences of purple flowers. The plant blooms up to two months.

Basil Tonus has average ripening limits, flowering begins 74 days after sowing. The height of the bush is up to 58 cm. The leaves are not very large, light green in color with a pleasant, spicy taste and delicate aroma.

Decorative basil variety Basilisk can be grown both in open beds and at home.Leaves can be cut two months after planting. The stem grows no more than 20 cm. There are many smooth leaves, all of them are small in size, dark green in color with a clove-pepper aroma.

Strong fruity-caramel aroma is characteristic of Caramel basil variety. Ripeness occurs after 32 days. The plant is highly resistant to diseases and pests, loves moisture, light and does not develop well in the presence of drafts. The leaves are large, juicy, dark green. Can be consumed fresh or as a spicy addition to many dishes.

Basil Lemon flavor fresh, pleasant taste and aroma. Greens begin to be harvested 42 days after germination. On a bush, 32 cm high, many leaves with jagged edges of light green color, medium size are formed. The plant can be added to desserts, salads, refreshing drinks.

Russian giant green belongs to the early ripe varieties of basil.The variety is included in the State Register of the Russian Federation for cultivation on a personal plot. Two months pass from the first mass shoots to ripeness. Large green leaves have a pleasant, sweetish, clove flavor and a delicate, spicy aroma. Stem height 58 cm.

The Greek basil variety differs in the compact size of the bush. In height, it grows no more than 15 cm. From the period of the appearance of the first shoots to ripening, 60 days pass. The leaves are small, light green. The taste of the green mass is sweetish with a pleasant spicy, rich aroma.

Purple

Purple basil leaves are rich in essential oils. They have a rich taste and strong smell. The aerial part of the plant retains its taste qualities fresh and dried. The color of the bush can be dark or light purple.

The Thai spicy herb variety is distinguished by a neat bush with maroon leaves of a purple hue. The edges of the smooth leaves are serrated. The plant gives the dish a spicy, cinnamon-like flavor. The spice is an excellent addition to pickles, marinades, salads, meat dishes.

Basil variety Opal is characterized by a bush up to 62 cm high. Numerous, large leaves, dark purple with a purple tint and peppery-clove aroma. Crimson flowers appear during the flowering period.

The fragrant variety Ararat is characterized by a large number of leaves of medium size, dark lilac color. Early ripening boundaries allow you to cut the greens after three weeks. Bush height 55 cm. Spicy herb can be used fresh, dried, added to various dishes.

Yerevansky variety is widely used in cooking. The leaves are distinguished by a bright purple color with a red tint and a pleasant aroma of tea with hints of allspice. During the flowering period, bright pink flowers appear on the bush.

Height of a bush of basil variety Pepper flavor 57 cm. The leaves have a reddish-purple color. The plant contains many essential oils, vitamins and minerals. Leaves can be cut for consumption after three weeks.

Vanilla basil is an annual plant with strong stems and large dark purple leaves. The leaves are serrated along the edges. The height of the bush is not more than 40 cm. The taste of spicy herbs is unusual, the leaves are added even to dishes with fruits.

Red

Red basil is an annual, fragrant herb that is added to marinades, salads, and also dried and added to various meat and fish dishes, as well as sandwiches. Depending on the variety, the red-lilac leaves can be greenish or purple.

Varieties by aroma

There is another classification of varieties of spicy grass, which differs in flavor. Each variety is characterized by its aroma, suitable for a particular culinary dish.

Lemon basil has a peculiar aroma that resembles the smell of lemon balm, lemon or camphor. The plant is low, the height of the bush is 32 cm, the leaves are medium in size, light green in color. Leaves and stems are added to juices, ice cream, and also during the preparation of soups and hot dishes due to the special lemon aromatic taste and smell.

Spicy annual basil Clove forms oblong, serrated leaves of light green color with a rich aroma of cloves. The stem of the bush can be stretched up to 57 cm in height. The plant is used to decorate a summer cottage, and the leaves replace cloves in marinades and sauces.

Clove-pepper varieties (Basilisk, Marquis, Fantazer) combine the taste and aroma of cloves and allspice. Spicy herb is often used in cooking.

The peppery type of spicy herb is characterized by a spicy-sweet aroma. Some spicy herbs of this group have a subtle aroma, while others have a clear, rich peppery smell. Popular varieties include: Rosie, Pepper, Aramis, Osmin, Magic of the East.

The caramel look is added to baked goods and desserts for a savory tartness and a sweet, fruity flavor. The varieties of the spicy plant in this group include: Cinnamon, Caramel, Vanilla Aroma, Favorite, Red Ruby.

During winter preparations, Marinade varieties of basil are used. In most cases, these are plants with green leaves (Basilisk, Greek, Broadleaf). A variety with purple leaves, such as the Cairo Ruby, may be suitable.Breeders also bred a special variety for marinades - Tempter.

Variety of basil Anise has a strong, fragrant aroma. The leaves are light green with a silvery sheen, stems, buds are painted in lilac-violet color. Anise flavor also in Aperitif, Rapture, Gourmet.

Peppermint Grass includes the aroma and flavor of mint and allspice. A well-known representative of this group of herbs is the Greek variety.

Menthol basil is often added to desserts and drinks. The main representatives of this group are the following varieties: Velvet, Gourmet. The dark green leaves are elongated. They have a tonic and absorbent effect.

Vanilla varieties are mainly used in the preparation of confectionery. They have fleshy, juicy leaves. A well-known variety of spicy basil is Vanilla Flavor.

Varieties by plant height

According to the height of the growth of the stem of the bush, undersized, medium-sized and high varieties of basil are distinguished. This feature becomes decisive when choosing a variety for cultivation. If there is not enough space, then you can choose a short variety.

Low-growing varieties are stretched no more than 30 cm in height: Basilisk, Dwarf, Gourmet, Stella, Malachite, Velvet. They can be grown at home, on the windowsill, all year round.

The average height of the basil variety reaches 58 cm in height: Ararat, Gentle Early, Rapture, Greek, Karakum, Smuglyanka.

Tall varieties of spicy grass reach a height of 82 cm: Pearl of the Moscow Region, Ruby of Cairo, Fantazer, Crimean purple.

By growing method

Basil can be grown in the greenhouse, indoors and in the vegetable garden.Before choosing seeds, you need to decide which flavor is preferable. If you like a strong smell and rich taste, then it is better to choose the purple group of plants. Green leaves have a more subtle and delicate aroma.

Basil is planted in open ground with seedlings or seeds. Planting seeds begins when the soil warms up enough. Planting time coincides with the first of May. The best outdoor basil varieties are: Cinnamon, Table, Anise, Lemon, Caramel.

The plant needs to be watered regularly, loosen the soil and fertilize. When the stem stretches to 19 cm, the top is cut off to increase the green mass. It is not necessary to allow the bushes to begin to bloom, otherwise the taste of the leaves will be lost.

Greenhouse basil bushes grow faster and gain numerous green mass, more protected from pests and diseases, as well as changes in air temperature.

In the greenhouse you can grow purple, camphor, lemon, cinnamon basil. To get a good harvest, you need to prepare the soil, it must be loose, light and fertile.

It is better to set the air temperature in the greenhouse at around 25 degrees. In the summer, you need to periodically ventilate the room. Once a week, the beds are plentifully watered. The top is cut at a height of 20 cm. During the growth period, you can add urea and an infusion of chicken manure.

Varieties such as Marquis, Dwarf, Lemon, Yerevan, Clove are suitable for the windowsill and balcony. When growing seasoning at home, the main thing is to properly prepare the soil for planting. Drainage must be laid at the bottom of the container.

The seeds are deepened by 10 mm, the distance between the holes is 6 cm. Loosening the soil is recommended every two weeks, the soil is moistened every two days.

By cultivation geography

Special varieties of basil for Siberia have not been bred. It is best to choose early ripening varieties with good cold tolerance. Another feature is the cultivation of culture through seedlings. The following varieties are suitable for the cold climate of Siberia and the Urals: Basilisk, Baku, Yerevan, Anise Aroma, Tempter, Wizard.

The best varieties of basil for the Moscow region are: Velvet, Yerevan, Robin Hood, Orion, Small-leaved, Ararat. Since the weather in the Moscow region and central Russia is characterized by inconstancy, it is recommended to grow basil through seedlings. Transplanting into open ground begins in the twentieth of May, when the risk of frost returns decreases.

Perennial varieties

The genus of basil includes more than 140 types of culture, among which there are also perennial plants. They are grown as houseplants in flower pots. Famous perennial varieties of basil include: Rama Tulsi (Thin-flowered basil), Evengol, Mint-leaved.

Rare varieties

Among the common types of spicy herbs, you can also find rare varieties of basil.

Stems and leaves of the Lemon basil variety can be eaten fresh or dried. Refers to early ripening crops, cut greens begin after 43 days. Bush in height stretches up to 38 cm, compact with small light green leaves of an elongated shape and citrus aroma.

The Rubra variety is mid-season (ripening occurs after 43 days), the bush is small, compact. The leaves are large, red-violet in color with a sharp, rich aroma.

Edwin's basil is characterized by a low shrub with light green leaves. From the time the first sprouts appear to ripening, 40 days pass, so the plant is classified as an early variety. The leaves have an intense spicy aroma.

Collection and storage

The leaves and stalks of basil must be cut before flowering, otherwise they will lose their taste and aroma. The optimal size of branches for cutting is 12 cm. After cutting, the bush quickly forms new leaves, so you can harvest a new crop before frost.

Leaves can be dried for the winter, but only in the shade, laying out in one layer on a paper surface. Dried herbs retain their aroma and taste. Store dried herbs in an airtight container, away from light and moisture. You can freeze the spicy herb.

Basil retains all its properties and taste even when s alted. The green mass of the plant is cut and placed in glass containers, sprinkling each layer with s alt. Then move to the refrigerator.

Use in cooking

Basil is widely used in cooking. It gives the dish a special taste and wonderful aroma. In addition, it enriches the body with vitamins and minerals, improves the functioning of the digestive organs and calms the nervous system. Basil is often added to salads. Spicy grass goes well with all vegetables.

Basil is a good addition to drinks and various dishes. Dried and fresh herbs are added during the preparation of meat, fish and seafood dishes.

To make regular basil tea, you need to put black tea and a fresh purple leaf of spicy herb into the teapot. Pour boiling water over the mixture and leave to infuse for 10 minutes. Sugar is added to the finished tea.

Basil is often used in marinades. You will need basil branches and garlic cloves. Grass and garlic are placed in prepared sterilized jars. At this time, a marinade is prepared from a liter of water, to which s alt, sugar and vinegar are added.Banks are poured with boiling marinade. Spicy herbs prepared in this way can later be added to hot dishes.

Conclusion

Among the best varieties of basil, you can always choose the right variety. Among the classic varieties are varieties with pleasant notes of other herbs.

Knowing the features of planting and caring for the crop, you will be able to grow the best varieties of basil in your country house in a greenhouse or in open beds, as well as in a room, on a windowsill.

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