- Author: Ruth Clawson
What is summer without home-grown tomatoes and fresh basil (Ocimum basilicum)? But every year I feel like I spend hours of time watering my large-leafed sweet basil. The stems get floppy, or the leaves get sunburned and then wilt on the hottest days. So, this year I decided to try something new. On a friend's recommendation, I planted Spicy Globe Basil. It grew perfectly in a pot on the patio and was such a cute little compact “bush.” I put it where it could take in a little water from the sprinkler, and it just thrived! It has held up to the elements and did not even wilt in the recentheatwave. The tiny, spicy leaves are great to use without even chopping! Success!
When I picked up the Spicy Globe Basil, I noticed a new variety of basil that I had never seen, Everleaf Emerald Towers Basil, so I got it to try out. This has been such a great plant! I also put it in a pot on the patio. It grows on tall (2-3 ft), sturdy, upright stems that hold up to wind, less water, and heat. It is still looking fresh with the most perfect leaves, even after multiple harvests. True to its name, it is slow to flower and bolt. (No flowers to date!?) The leaves have the flavor of the sweet basil but are smaller (less chopping) and just the right size to compliment those delicious, sliced tomatoes.
Have you tried out any new herb varieties that seem better suited to heat and less water?