Genovese Emily Basil

Description

Full sun, annual

Ocimum basilicum ‘Genovese Emily’

9cm

An ornamental herb producing flower spikes adorned with white flowers in mid summer; flavorful light green leaves are medium to large; great for mixed containers, herb gardens, and annual beds.

Genovese Emily Basil is an annual herb that is commonly grown for its edible qualities, although it does have ornamental merits as well. The fragrant oval light green leaves are usually harvested from early summer to early fall. The leaves have a pleasant taste and a pleasant fragrance.

Genovese Emily Basil will grow to be about 20 inches tall at maturity, with a spread of 14 inches. When grown in masses or used as a bedding plant, individual plants should be spaced approximately 12 inches apart. This fast-growing annual will normally live for one full growing season, needing replacement the following year.

This plant is quite ornamental as well as edible, and is as much at home in a landscape or flower garden as it is in a designated herb garden. It should only be grown in full sunlight. It prefers to grow in average to moist conditions, and shouldn’t be allowed to dry out. It is not particular as to soil type or pH. It is somewhat tolerant of urban pollution.