Days to Maturity: 72 from direct sow

All-America Selections (AAS) Winner 1997

Siam Queen is as gorgeous in the garden as it is delicious on the dinner plate! The sturdy stems support extra-large, 4-inch-long and 2-inch-wide bright green leaves. Clusters of small, intensely colored deep purple flowers appear on the very top of the plant, for a highly ornamental effect. Redolent of licorice, this basil is to delightful, your only problem will be whether to grow it for cuisine or for beauty.

Unlike the sweet basils you may be familiar with from Italian cuisine and pestos, this Thai basil has a strong anise flavor and a good spicy bite. You can still detect the familiar basil taste beneath these elements, but it adds an entirely new and delicious level of seasoning to any dish. The aroma carries the spiciness as well, perfuming the warm summer air magnificently.

Siam Queen can be grown two ways: as a seasoning for food o