Basil, Cardinal

Cardinal Basil is easily one of my top 5 favorite plants to grow every year.  It's stunning, unique, easy to grow, and honestly i could go on.  I even got a cardinal basil tattoo last year, that's how much i love it LOL.  
This basil variety is a late bloomer--she doesn't start transitioning to dark cardinal color until August.  So when you purchase this start, she'll just look green.  But give her time.  It's 100% worth the wait!!

Flavor-wise, Cardinal Basil is a bit bolder than the average Genovese type, but honestly, you don't really notice it when you're eating it.  Favorite recipes to use cardinal basil in: basil garlic compound butter, basil-infused simple syrup (hello fun cocktails + mocktails!) caprese, vinaigrettes.   

Favorite plant color combos:

Cardinal Basil + Czech Black Jalapeno Pepper 
Cardinal Basil + Joy's Midnight Chard 
Cardinal Basil + Raspberry Burst Tomato

Cardinal Basil grows to about 24" tall, with narrow upright shoulders.  The plant has deep burgundy-colored stems and thick, oval, bright-green leaves. When mature*, it produces tightly-packed, pagoda-shaped flower clusters at the crown of its stems that range in color from magenta to dark red.  Basil thrives in full sun and fertile, well-draining soil. Mulching at the base of the plant helps to retain soil moisture & suppresses weeds.  Container friendly.  

• Days to Maturity: 70 - 85
• Companion Plants: Asters, Beans, Chives, Parsley, Peppers, Tomatoes
  
• Open-Pollinated 
• Plant Spacing: 6 - 8" 

Photo Credit: Jess Page