Summertime Is Basil Time!
Basil, "King of Herbs" and a favorite of gardeners and gourmets around the world loves summertime heat. Properly grown in full sun as it is here at Pearson’s Gardens, Basil will thrive throughout summer and fall. In fact, its flavor will intensify with higher temperatures. Frequent harvesting, and trimming will stimulate fresh growth, and keep your Basils strong and vigorous all season long.
Basil is a celebration of diversity.... flavors, fragrances, forms, and colors. The uses of Basil varies even more widely. Check out the slideshow and primer below, come visit the nursery to make your selections, and let your imagination take it from there!
Basil Primer
Best For Classic Pesto: Sweet Genovese, Mozzarella, Superbo Italian, Italian Large Leaf, Greek Columnar
Best For Red/Purple Pesto: Red Rubin, Osmin Purple, Dark Opal, Amethyst
Best For Lemon Pesto: Mrs. Burns Lemon
Best For Exotic Pesto: Hawaiian Wild
Best On Pizza: Sweet Genovese, Mozzarella, Superbo Italian, Italian Large Leaf, Greek Columnar
Best With Seafood: Mrs. Burns Lemon, Lime
Best With Chicken: Mrs. Burns Lemon, Lime, Thai
Best With Veggies: All
Best In Green Salads: Napoletano, Superbo Italian, Siam Queen Sweet Thai, Red Lettuce Leaf
Best With Tomato Based Soups & Sauces: Red Rubin, Amethyst, Osmin Purple, Dark Opal
Best For Asian Cuisine: Thai, Siam Queen Sweet Thai, Tulsi
Best For Middle Eastern Cuisine: Ararat, Persian, Licorice
Best For Mexican Cuisine: Mexican Spicy
Best For Exotic Cuisine: Hawaiian WIld, Thai, Tulsi
Best For Wraps: Mammoth, Napoletano
Best For Use As Skewers: Greek Columnar
Best For Herbal Tea: Blue Spice ( Enchanting Floral Fragrance), Mrs. Burns Lemon, Lime, African Blue, Variegated African Blue, Hawaiian WIld
Best With Fruit: Blue Spice, Mrs. Burns Lemon, Lime, African Blue, Variegated African Blue, Hawaiian Wild, Tulsi
Best Fruit : Mrs. Burns Lemon, Lime, Red Rubin, Amethyst, Osmin Purple, Dark Opal, Purple Ruffles, Purple Delight
Best With Deserts: Blue Spice, Mrs. Burns Lemon, Lime, Cinnamon
Best For Edible Garnish: Green Ruffles, Purple Ruffles, Serrata, Pistou, Variegated African Blue
Best Edible Flowers: All
Best For Attracting Garden Pollinators: African Blue, Variegated African Blue
Best To Enhance Tomato Production: All - Allow Flowering
Best For Low Garden Edging: Pistou
Best Insect Repellent: All