Basil is a useful herb because there are so many cultivars bred for specific reasons. Not all basils are meant for the kitchen, but the ones listed here are my favorite culinary varieties.

‘Mrs. Burns’.		‘Italian Pesto’.		‘Persian Anise’.

Lemon basils such as  ‘Mrs. Burns’ and  ‘Sweet Dani’, are good in vinaigrettes, especially with vegetables and seafood, but they shine in beverages and desserts. These two have good-size leaves and strong lemon flavor and aroma.

Pesto basils are very aromatic, full of flavor, and are vigorous growers. ‘Genovese’,  ‘Italian Pesto’, and  ‘Profuma di Genova’ have a lovely “nose,” which is a balance of citrus oil, licorice, cinnamon, spice, and mint. They are the best basils for making pesto.

Lettuce-leaf basils have huge leaves (5 to 6 inches long and 3 to 4 inches wide), which make them perfect for sandwiches and salads. The herby flavor of ‘Napoletano’,  ‘Lettuce Leaf’,  ‘Mammoth’ includes notes of mint, anise, and citrus.

Spicy basils, such as  ‘Persian Anise’, and ‘Siam Queen’, are characterized by the aroma and taste of anise. These two basils are useful in the kitchen and are ornamental enough for the flower garden.

Miniature basils stay small and compact, which makes them good plants for the front of the border. My favorites are   ‘Piccolo’,  ‘Dwarf Bouquet’,  ‘Dwarf Bush Fine Leaf’,  and ‘Green Globe’.

Fine Gardening Recommended Products

A.M. Leonard Deluxe Soil Knife & Leather Sheath Combo

Fine Gardening receives a commission for items purchased through links on this site, including Amazon Associates and other affiliate advertising programs.

MULTITASKING DUAL EDGES: a deep serrated edge and a tapered slicing edge ideal for tough or delicate cuts. DURABLE 6-inch stainless steel blade withstands 300 lbs of pressure. TWINE CUTTING NOTCH, DEPTH GAUGE MARKINGS & spear point - no need to switch tools when using this garden knife. LEATHER SHEATH: heavy duty, protective, clip on sheath to keep your knife convenient and secure. LIFETIME WARRANTY.

Buy at Amazon

Gardener's Log Book from NYBG

Fine Gardening receives a commission for items purchased through links on this site, including Amazon Associates and other affiliate advertising programs.

This weatherproof five-year log book includes the following features: · Sturdy waterproof cover to protect pages from rain and muddy soil · Lined pages and gridded paper for plotting beds · Five years of 12-month bloom and harvest grids for recording what you planted and when · Authoritative appendices on composting, pruning, pest and disease control, and container gardening · Useful reminders by season on fertilizing, mulching, and transplanting · Space for listing your favorite sources and suppliers.

Buy at Amazon

Berry & Bird Rabbiting Spade, Trenching Shovel

Fine Gardening receives a commission for items purchased through links on this site, including Amazon Associates and other affiliate advertising programs.

Ideal Tool for All Gardeners Use: Our heavy duty trenching shovel is designed by a professional gardening tool designer. Lifetime Durability: This heavy duty drain spade is made of high-quality stainless steel, it is very strong and durable, even if it is used for high-strength work, it will not bend. Ergonomic Wood Handle: The handle of this planting spade is made of ash hardwood harvested from FSC-certified forests and has an ergonomically streamlined design, making it very suitable for everyone's hands. Multi-Use: This digging shovel is generally used for digging trenches, digging holes, transplanting, edging, moving compost, cutting thick turf and furrowing. The sharp blade allows you to cut, scoop, dig, lift and dice in hard soil.

Buy at Amazon