Ocimum basilicum

<a href="https://www.promessedefleurs.ie/vegetable-gardens/herbs/herbs-by-variety/basil.html" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Basil is an aromatic plant</strong></a> essential for the garden. <strong>Its fragrant leaves</strong> <strong>are widely used in cooking</strong>, particularly in Italian cuisine but also in Asian dishes, such as <strong>Thai Basil</strong>. It is also a plant with numerous benefits, stimulating digestion. We are familiar with <strong>'Grand Vert' basil</strong> and <strong>'Fin vert' basil</strong>, but much less so with the other varieties. And there are many! They are distinguished by their habit, which can be more or less compact, the size of their leaves, and their colour, which ranges from green to purple, sometimes almost black, as seen in the <strong>'Dark Opal'</strong> variety. All exude pleasant <strong>fragrances with well-defined nuances</strong>, which is their main appeal! <strong>Easy to grow, basil cultivation is within reach of all gardeners</strong>, even those without a garden, as <strong>it grows very well in pots.</strong> <strong>It enjoys sun and warmth</strong> and thrives in good humus-bearing, well-drained soil… as it fears excessive moisture. <strong>Basil sowing</strong> <strong>is generally done in a warm place</strong>, at home or in a heated shelter. <strong>It should only be planted, in the garden or in pots, outside after the Ice Saints</strong>, once all risk of frost has passed. Indeed, it is not hardy and is therefore sensitive to cold. <strong>Basil maintenance is simple</strong>: just harvest it regularly and water it in case of prolonged drought. [caption id="attachment_34821" align="aligncenter" width="1024"]<img class="size-large wp-image-34821" src="https://www.promessedefleurs.com/blogwp/wp-content/uploads/2017/12/abeille-basilic-1024x683.jpg" alt="" width="1024" height="683" /> Basil is a melliferous plant[/caption]