Basil, Cardinal

If you're looking for something that's a unique edible, ornamental and cut flower, Cardinal Basil is IT!  This stunning basil variety blooms towards the end of summer, and we love that this beauty shows up when other plants are starting to tamper off.  Jess has been growing cardinal basil in her own garden for the last 4-5 years and has used it in flower arrangements, in herbal salves, cocktails and to wow the neighbors.  It's a truly spectacular sight in the garden.  

Cardinal Basil grows to about 24" tall, more upright than your typical basil.  The plant has deep burgundy-colored stems and thick, oval, bright-green leaves. When the plant is mature, it produces tightly-packed, pagoda-shaped flower clusters at the crown of its stems that range in color from magenta to dark red.  It's truly stunning.  The flavor of the basil is a bit bolder than your average Genovese type but we've used it in caprese, basil butter, infused vinegars and also in our basil salves & whipped body butters.  Oh, and adding it into a bouquet will make you want to grow a field of cardinal basil! ;) 

Like all basils, this plant will thrive in full sun and fertile, well draining soil.  Mulching at the base of the plant helps to retain soil moisture throughout the season.  We love interplanting it with sweet orange cherry tomatoes, sugar rush peach peppers and rainbow chard.  Great for containers! 

• Days to Maturity: 60 
• Companion Plants: Aster, Beans, Cucumbers, Lettuce, Peppers, Tomatoes
  
• Heirloom, Open-Pollinated 
• Plant Spacing: 12 - 24"  

Photo Credit: Jess Page