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The life cycle of an annual is 1 year.

BASIL


Chosen 2003 “Herb of the Year” and about high time. America’s most popular herb, finally got onstage and to celebrate, we continue to add new basils annually. We encourage those of you who are as enthralled with basils as we are, to check out BASI

Basil, Cinnamon
Ocimum basilicum `Cinnamon'
Cold Tolerance: Zone 9a 9b-11
Light: Full Sun to Full Sun
Height: 1 x 1 ½ Feet
Water: Normal
Soil: Organic-Loamy
Common Uses: Culinary, , Ornamental

Green leaves with red veins and purple stems plus flowers from pink to purple, create such beauty, we'd grow it even if we couldn't flavor fruit, pancakes, and chili with it's cinnamon touch.
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Basil, Lemon Drop
©Basil, Lemon Drop
Ocimum basilicum 'Lemon Drop'
Cold Tolerance: Zone 9a 9b-11
Light: Full Sun to Full Sun
Height: 1 x 2 Feet
Water: Normal
Soil: Organic-Loamy
Common Uses: Bees, , Culinary


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Basil, Lime
©Basil, Lime
Ocimum basilicum `Lime'
Cold Tolerance: Zone 9a 9b-11
Light: Full Sun to Full Sun
Height: 1 x 2 Feet
Water: Normal
Soil: Organic-Loamy
Common Uses: Bees, , Culinary

I’ve never encountered a more durable lime flavor than that of Lime Basil! It grows better than most lemon basils but it has a sharp lime taste that withstands up to an hour of cooking, used fresh! Strew over white sauce for fish, stir-fry, and fruit salad. Flavor gets stronger in the freezer!
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Basil, Mamoth
©Basil, Mamoth
Ocimum basilicum 'Large Leaf'
Cold Tolerance: Zone 10a 11
Light: Full Sun to Full Sun
Height: 2 x 2 1/2 Feet
Water: Normal
Soil: Organic-Loamy
Flowers: Middle Summer
Common Uses: Bees, , Culinary

Preferred by many chefs over Genovese because of its sweeter scent and flavor, which is less clove-like. Larger leaves (up to 4" long) are used whole, as a wrap in Italian dishes. Flowers bolt later. Keep buds cut and eat them.
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Basil, Mrs. Burns Lemon
Ocimum 'Mrs Burns'
Cold Tolerance: Zone 9a 9b-11
Light: Full Sun
Height: 1 x 1 feet
Water: Normal
Soil: Organic-Loamy
Common Uses: Culinary

Although the harvest is 1/4 of “Sweet Dani,” the lemon flavor is so much sweeter. Smaller grower that likes to go to seed if not provided with enough nitrogen. Absolutely the best with fish and salads.
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Basil, Nufar Sweet
©Basil, Nufar Sweet
Ocimum basilicum 'Nufar'
Cold Tolerance: Zone 9a 9b-11
Light: Full Sun to Sun-P.Sun
Height: 2-2 1/2 Feet
Water: Normal
Soil: Organic-Loamy
Common Uses: Bees, , Culinary

vigorous, healthy growing with added disease resistance but same italian basil flavor
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Basil, Pistou
©Basil, Pistou
Ocimum basilicum
Cold Tolerance: Zone 9a 9b-11
Light: Full Sun to Full Sun
Height: 1-2 Feet
Water: Normal
Soil: Organic-Loamy
Common Uses: Culinary, , Ornamental

smallest basil we offer; half the size of "spicy bush" with same flavor and bush shape for pots
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Basil, Purple Ruffles
©Basil, Purple Ruffles
Ocimum basilicum `Purple Ruffles'
Cold Tolerance: Zone 9a 9b-11
Light: Full Sun to Full Sun
Height: 1-2 Feet
Water: Normal
Soil: Organic-Loamy
Common Uses: Culinary, , Ornamental

Large purple leaves with ruffled edges and pink flowers create this striking, pleasantly mild, addition (so add generously) to veggies and salads. “Golden Oregano, Tri-Color Sage, Purple Ruffles” and any rosemary will make a magnificent display. We mulch with grass clipping to create a nice contrast.
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Basil, Red Rubin
©Basil, Red Rubin
Ocimum basilicum `Red Rubin'
Cold Tolerance: Zone 9a 9b-11
Light: Full Sun to Full Sun
Height: 1-2 Feet
Water: Normal
Soil: Organic-Loamy
Common Uses: Culinary, , Ornamental

This was bred to be less variable in color and it succeeded, with fewer plants reverting to green. Protect this one from heavy, frequent rains. It’s a purple version of large leaf basil, albeit pink buds, and literally luminates a fruit salad, stir-fry, salsa, or even eggs.
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Basil, Spicy Globe/Bush
Ocimum basilicum 'Spicy Globe'
Cold Tolerance: Zone 9a 9b-11
Light: Full Sun to Sun-P.Sun
Height: 6-9 inches
Water: Normal
Soil: Organic-Loamy
Common Uses: Bees, , Container, , Culinary, , Hedges/Shrubs, , Miniature/Faery Garden, Ornamental

Miniature green leaves adorn this truly bonsai basil, and it’s slow to flower. Pick young buds & leaves for a mild basil taste in salads, grilled steak, fish, and pork. Long ago, in Italy, basil on windowsills advertised availability. Hey bachelors,- it’s a perfect container basil or a cute, front row hedge.
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Basil, Sweet Dani
©Basil, Sweet Dani
Ocimum basilicum 'Sweet Dani'
Cold Tolerance: Zone 9a 9b-11
Light: Full Sun to Sun-P.Sun
Height: 2-2 1/2 Feet
Water: Normal
Soil: Organic-Loamy
Common Uses: Bees, , Culinary

Yet another (1998) All-American Winner with the strongest lemon flavor and fragrance from up to 68% citral oil content. It is tall and prolific for lemon basil with light green, olive colored leaves. Sure to enhance chicken, scones, and cookies, while taking away any ‘fishy odor’ in seafood.
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Basil, Sweet Genovese
©Basil, Sweet Genovese
Ocimum basilicum 'Sweet Genovese'
Cold Tolerance: Zone 9a 9b-11
Light: Full Sun to Sun-P.Sun
Height: 2-2 1/2 Feet
Water: Normal
Soil: Organic-Loamy
Common Uses: Bees, , Culinary

Expect 1 pound of leaves per plant on this, the most “basilly” of sweet basils, in our opinion. We refer to as it as “The Pesto Basil.” As usual, you need to keep white flowers pinched off, but use them. The flowers are even sweter than the great tasting leaves.
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Bean-o Herb \ Epazote
Chenopodium ambrosioides
Cold Tolerance: Zone 9a 9b-11
Light: Full Sun to Sun-P.Sun
Height: 2-3 Feet
Water: Normal
Soil: Sandy-Loamy
Common Uses: Butterfly, , Culinary, , Medicinal

Insist on this mexican herb with any bean dish to “forego the fireworks.” Use 1/4 cup chopped fresh leaves per kettle of stews, soups, & bean dishes during the last 10 to 15 minutes of cooking. Don’t worry about the unusual odor. I believe it quickly dissipates and imparts little flavor, if any, although others say they even like the taste. Absolutely necessary for black bean soup or chili.
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Borage
©Borage
Borago officinalis

Light: Full Sun to Full Sun
Height: 1-2 Feet
Water: Normal
Soil: Loamy
Flowers: Early SummerLate SummerMiddle Summer
Common Uses: Bees, , Borders, , Culinary, , Ornamental

Need a quick cucumber substitute? Make space (about a 3' spread) for an endless summer display of baby blue star-shaped flowers. Harvest just opened blooms and small, non-prickly leaves, for a cucumber flavor in cool salads or V-8 drinks.
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Borage, White
©Borage,  White
Borago officinalis 'Alba'

Light: Full Sun to Full Sun
Height: 1-2 Feet
Water: Normal
Soil: Loamy
Flowers: Early SummerLate SummerMiddle Summer
Common Uses: Bees, , Borders, , Culinary, , Ornamental

Harvest white flowers when young for an easy cucumber substitute
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Butterflyweed \ Bloodflower
©Butterflyweed \ Bloodflower
Asclepias curassavica
Cold Tolerance: Zone 10a 10b 9a 9b
Light: Full Sun to Full Sun
Height: 2-4 Feet
Water: Normal
Soil: Sandy-Loamy
Common Uses: Butterfly, , Ornamental

Irrepressible orange and red star flowers in 4” clusters caught customers' attention all summer. This easy to grow, South American species, is also a favorite of Monarchs in the garden or any large mixed container. We combined this with Sweet Potato `Blackie’ - WOW!
BUY NOW - 4.49

Caraway, Improved
Carum carvi 'Arterner'

Light: Full Sun to Full Sun
Height: 1-3 Feet
Water: Normal
Soil: Loamy
Common Uses: Culinary

Produce your own high quality seed. 'Arterner' is a large, smooth seed variety with higher oil content. Add Old World flavor to cabbage, stew, bread, and coleslaw. Harvest seeds by turning brown seed heads into a paper bag. Rub seeds off inside bag, or cut off entire head to dry.
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Chamomile, German Improved
©Chamomile, German Improved
Matricaria recutita (chamomila) 'Bodegold'
Cold Tolerance: Zone 7a 7b 8a 8b
Light: Full Sun to Full Sun
Height: 1 1/2-2 Feet
Water: Normal
Soil: Loamy
Common Uses: Medicinal, , Tea

Harvest is easier with larger flowers and, more effective for occasional insomnia, with it's higher oil content. Pick whole flowers and dry on horizontal window screens. After 2-3 days, place a tray, under a screen and rub flowers. Only white petals and yellow centers should fall through to the tray. Avoid bitter stem & green caps. We make a tea using 2 tsp. dried herb per cup of hot water.
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Chervil, Brussel Winter
Anthriscus cerefolium `Brussels Winter'
Cold Tolerance: Zone 5a 5b 6a 6b 7a 7b 8a 8b
Light: Sun-P.Sun to Sun
Height: 10-24 inches
Water: Normal
Soil: Loamy
Common Uses: Butterfly, , Culinary

Improved vigorous european variety that is larger and slower to bolt than ordinary Chervil. Use fresh or frozen leaves in salads, soups, fish white sauce, and quiche, ideally fresh or cooked less than 5 minutes. Start in early spring with lettuce since it will bolt into flower with summer heat. Collect seed & plant in August for a fall crop.
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Cilantro \ Coriander
Coriandrum sativum `Jantar'
Cold Tolerance: Zone 9b-11
Light: Full Sun to Full Sun
Height: 1 Foot
Water: Normal
Soil: Loamy
Common Uses: Butterfly, , Culinary

This improved variety promises more fresh leaves and extra time to enjoy them in the spring. Grow with lettuce as it will fade with summer's heat. Small white flowers become large, brown, rounded seeds (Coriander). Use or reseed right away for a fall crop of Cilantro. One January we were still picking it during the mild winter! For salsas, salads, corn, chicken, beans, SW cooking and salmon.
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Dill, Dukat Strain
Anethum graveolens 'Dukat '
Cold Tolerance: Zone 9b-11
Light: Full Sun to Full Sun
Height: 3 Feet
Water: Normal
Soil: Loamy
Common Uses: Butterfly, , Culinary

This extra green, fern-leaf cultivar gives off a strong flavor, due to a high oil content, but it's the short, stakeLESS height that warms my heart. Garnish and use this popular herb, fresh, by chopping leaves into corn, light soups, potato salads, cream cheese, salmon, and baby red potatoes. Dried seed enhances breads and chowders. Dill means "to lull" or soothe which is what dill seed tea may do for flatulence, toothaches and indigestion.
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Dill, Fernleaf
©Dill, Fernleaf
Anethum graveolens 'Fernleaf
Cold Tolerance: Zone 9b-11
Light: Full Sun to Full Sun
Height: 2 Feet
Water: Normal
Soil: Loamy
Common Uses: Butterfly, , Culinary

Not satisfied with a 3' dill? Try a 1992 All American winner famous for its 2' size allowing it in patio containers and small gardens. It is slower to bolt than old fashion dill and stakeless, allowing a longer, easier foliage harvest. See 'Dukat' for uses.
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Fennel, Florence Bulbing
Foeniculum dulce
Cold Tolerance: Zone 9b-11
Light: Full Sun to Full Sun
Height: 2 Feet
Water: Normal
Soil: Loamy
Common Uses: Butterfly, , Culinary

This "eat-everything-but-the-squeal herb" is grown as a vegetable until full bulb forms, but harvest green foliage along the way. Dig up entire plant before bulb splits. Often mislabelled as anise. Use in stews or cut into large chunks for steaming. Grate steamed bulb or add snipped leaves to lightly season pasta, white sauce or eggs. I make an apple, fennel bulb, bleu cheese and greens salad with balsamic vineagrette. Fennel is the preeminent anti-wrinkle herb, often used in facial steams, mouthwash and hair rinses.
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