Name: Ancient Greek, derived from the words "thalos" - green branch and "icter" - pleading. The plant looks like an olive branch entwined with down.
This branch meant a plea for protection. The graceful foliage, as follows from the popular name of the most famous representative of the genus, resembles the foliage of columbine plants (aquilegia), with which basil leaves are combined into one subfamily. In English-speaking countries, their foliage is compared to rue by its delicacy and waxy coating, and the name of the plant sounds like “meadow rue” - meadow rue.
Description: The genus includes up to 150 species, distributed mainly in the temperate regions of the Northern Hemisphere, the mountains of tropical America and southern Africa. Rhizomatous perennials with erect, leafless or weakly leafy stems up to 200 cm tall. The leaves are basal and stem, pinnately divided, lacy, shiny on the upper side, sometimes pubescent below. The flowers are small, numerous, collected in paniculate, racemose or corymbose inflorescences. The perianth is simple, four- or five-leaved, white, yellowish, lilac or pale pink. Numerous stamens are much longer than the tepals. The fruit is a multi-nut. The fruits are sessile or pedunculated with a column remaining in the form of a spout. The seeds are large, oblong. There are up to 650 seeds in 1 g.
Thalictrum flavum "Glaucum"
Photo of the Nursery "Northern Flora"
Basilisks are perennial herbaceous plants with unusual fragrant flowers, devoid of petals. Immediately after the buds open, the sepals also fall off (the exception is Delaway's basilisk), but numerous stamens remain, which make the flowers look like fluffy balls or tassels. Collected in large paniculate or umbrella-shaped inflorescences, they resemble a light cloud, colored, depending on the type and variety, white, red, yellow, lilac, lilac, violet or burgundy.
Basilisks are remarkable not only for their decorative value, they are unpretentious and tolerate the climate of the temperate zone well. Most species grow well both in the sun and in slight shade, and filamentous basilisk grows well even in the shade of trees. These plants are also undemanding when it comes to soil - they grow well even in infertile areas, as long as there is enough moisture. But basilisks grow especially lush, with large, bright inflorescences on fertile, nutrient-rich soils. Another advantage is that they are winter-hardy and do not require special care.
The most widespread in culture are:
| Alpine basilisk - Thalictrum alpinum L.s. str.
North Europe, Caucasus. Central Asia, Siberia, Far East, Himalayas, Mongolia, North. America. In the alpine belt on rocky slopes, nival lawns and riverbed pebbles.
The plant is 5-20 cm tall, with a leafless, sometimes 1-leafed simple stem. The leaves are concentrated at the base of the stem, petiolate, the blades are simply and double pinnate, with leathery dark green leaves that are shiny on top. Flowers in a simple, rarely branched raceme, 1.5-8 cm long, drooping. The filaments of the stamens are thin, thread-like. The stigma of the ovary is dark purple. Tepals are reddish-brownish, 2-3 mm long. and 1-1.75 mm wide, elliptical, obtuse. Fruitlets are 2-3 mm long, oblong-ovate, slightly curved, ribbed, almost sessile. Plant in a semi-shaded, moist, humus-rich place. For the winter, protection from dampness should be provided. In summer, the soil is mulched with fine gravel. Seeds are sown in spring, seedlings appear within 1-3 months at a temperature of 13-18 degrees. Can be propagated by division in early spring and autumn. |
Thalictrum alpinum L.
A perennial plant that forms compact bushes up to 120 cm in height, with large, broadly triangular in outline, bluish-green leaves. The flowers are small white or pale lilac, collected in a loose, large corymbose panicle up to 20 cm long. Blooms in June - July for 30-35 days. The fruit is a leaflet. The seeds are oblong and large. Winter-hardy without shelter. Often weeds. In culture it requires exactly the same conditions as watersheds. Does well in cool, moist, rich soils in partial sun or partial shade. It is in partial shade that flowering lasts longer and the foliage remains decorative for a long time. The unpretentiousness and decorative nature of flowers and foliage make this large perennial indispensable for waterlogged areas, the banks of reservoirs, and shady gardens.
This insect-pollinated plant attracts pollinators with colored stamens with a large amount of pollen in the anthers. It reproduces mainly by seeds, which germinate in the spring (often in the second spring) after sowing. Germination occurs especially actively in the light; in this case, germination can reach 100%. The seedling has two delicate blue-green cotyledons on petioles colored with anthocyanin. Later, the first trifoliate leaves appear. In the second year, a shortened underground shoot appears. Basil foliage is a mesophyte, grows in conditions of sufficient moisture, often on poorly aerated soils, usually with a reaction close to neutral, and rich in mineral nitrogen. It rises into the mountains up to 2500 m above sea level. m.
In culture since 1720. It has decorative forms and varieties with white, purple, lilac-pink and dark red flowers.
"Thundercloud"- plant up to 75 cm tall, deep purple flowers;
"Dwarf Purple"- up to 45 cm high, pinkish-purple flowers;
"Album" - plant up to 90 cm tall, white flowers.
Photos by Mikhail Polotnov
| Basilwort Delavaya- Thalictrum delavayi Franch.
Homeland - China. Plant up to 150 cm tall. The lower leaves are double or triple pinnate. The flowers are small, lilac-pink, collected in a large, loose, paniculate inflorescence. Blooms in July - August for 60-65 days. The fruit is a leaflet, the seeds are oblong, large, ripen in August. In the middle zone it winters under light cover. Very beautiful and the most decorative among the representatives of the genus. Winter-hardy without shelter provided it is planted in well-aerated soils. V. Delavayi "Hewlett"s Double" (T. delavayi "Hewlett"s Double") - see photo. Height 1 m, flowers are lilac-lilac, double, reminiscent of small pumpons. It blooms later, in August, and looks like gypsophila. Grows well in any garden soil and can even tolerate cold peaty soils. There is a variety Thalictrum delavayi "Album" with white flowers. |
 yellow cornflower- Thalictrum flavum L.
Widely distributed in the temperate zone of Eurasia. Grows along river banks and in flood meadows. One of the progenitors of the hybrid Taliktrum. The plant prefers thickets of bushes or open areas with fertile, moist, drained soil, and is quite resistant to lack of moisture and overheating.
Photo on the left of Vladislava Smirnova
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The stem is tall, 60-150 (180) cm, furrowed, glabrous, evenly leafy. The leaves are deflected from the stem, the lower ones have petioles 2-6 cm long, the upper ones are sessile and gradually decreasing upward, their plates are triangular in outline, 10-20 cm long. and 7-15 cm wide; The leaves are quite large, 2-4 cm long. and 1-3 cm wide, obovate, rounded-wedge-shaped at the base, 3-lobed or 3-toothed in front, dull green above, lighter below. The flowers are on short, 2-3(5) mm, pedicels, clustered in several clusters at the ends of the inflorescence branches and form a rather dense, often almost corymbose panicle, 6-15 cm long. and 2.5-7 cm wide. The stamens are yellow, 5-7 mm long, erect, with anthers without acuminate ends. Achenes are ovoid, sessile, bluntly ribbed with a straight nose up to 1 mm long. Blooms in mid-summer. The inflorescence is corymbose-paniculate. The flowers are yellow. It grows luxuriously only in rich, moist garden soils. Winter-hardy without shelter. The plant can rightfully be considered both decorative flowering and decorative deciduous. Attracting attention throughout the growing season, it has only one drawback - lodging of the stems in heavy rain and wind. Therefore, it is planted in large clumps, preferably among bushes or in a place protected from the wind. Despite the long history of culture, selection was not carried out, but the recently appeared T.flavum ssp. glaucum ‘True Blue’ with non-lodging strong stems, it has every chance of becoming one of the promising and fashionable new products. Basil false-petalled- Thalictrum petaloideum L.
It grows wildly in Siberia and the Far East, Central Asia, Mongolia, China and Japan. On meadows and gravelly steppe slopes. The plant is glabrous, with a strong grooved stem 15-40 cm high. The leaves are gray-green, matte, without prominent ribs, concentrated at the base of the stem, the blades are broadly triangular in outline, double-triple pinnate, 4-10 cm long. and 3-8 cm wide, terminal lobules are small, round, elliptical or obovate, entire or obtusely 2-3-lobed. The flowers are white or slightly pinkish, erect, on stalks 1-3 cm long, in a dense corymbose panicle. The stamens are white, numerous, 6-8 mm long, 2.5-3 times longer than the pistils, their filaments are club-shaped at the top, almost twice as wide as the anthers. The fruits are sessile, ovoid, thick, with 8 very prominent blunt ribs. Spout approx. 1 mm long, curved at the apex. Blooms in May-June for 30-35 days. Used in border plantings. Photo by Yuri Ovchinnikov |
 Small basil- Thalictrum minus L.
It is found in ripe meadows and mountain slopes in Eurasia and North America. Plant 80-100 (120) cm tall, evenly leafy. The leaves are on long petioles, gradually becoming smaller towards the apex and here sessile, the blades are broadly triangular in outline, triply pinnate; the terminal leaflets are obovate, wedge-shaped or rounded at the base, coarsely toothed or 3-lobed at the apex, leathery, with prominent veins below. The inflorescence is a wide-pyramidal panicle with drooping flowers, on stalks 0.5-2(3) cm long. Stamens with thin filaments, pendulous. The fruits are sessile, sharply oblong-ribbed with a straight nose. It has a number of more graceful dwarf forms. Blooms in midsummer. The flowers are inconspicuous yellow-green. Drought resistant. Shade-tolerant, but grows well in sunny areas. Winter-hardy without shelter. Photo by Yuri Markovsky |
  Basil filamentous- Thalictrum filamentosum Exported from the forests of the Far East. It is a long-rhizomatous, low (15 - 25 cm) perennial that forms a loose ground cover of soft green pinnately divided leaves. The flowers are numerous, white, collected in an openwork inflorescence. It blooms for 20-25 days from mid-May. The seeds ripen in July. There are from 7 to 50 seeds on one shoot, but filamentous basilisk mainly reproduces vegetatively, since the branching rhizomes annually grow by 6 - 8 cm and form from 2 to 4 renewal buds. The dense ground cover retains its decorative effect for 15-20 years without replanting; This species is especially interesting for growing on tree trunks. Photo on the left Knyazheva Valeria
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| Sakhalin Basil- Thalictrum sachalinense Lesou.
A slender plant with delicate white flowers that envelop the plant in an openwork cloud. The range is narrow, East Asian island type: Russia (Sakhalin and Moneron, Kuril Islands - Kunashir, Shikotan), Japan (Hokkaido). Grows in mixed-grass meadows and on the edges of mixed forests. Mesophyte. A decoction of the roots is used for stomach upset and pain. Powder from the roots, roasted with vinegar, is used to treat puncture wounds, juice from the leaves - for wounds caused by bruises (Sugawara, 1937). Sakhalin Basil can be planted in groups in parks, in open and semi-shaded places, on fertile, regularly moistened soil. Suitable for cutting. |
 Basilisk twisted- Thalictrum contortum L.
Homeland - Siberia, Far East, East. Mongolia, China. In valley forests, in thickets of bushes, along the edges. Stems are 100-120 (150) cm high, branched in inflorescences. The leaves are large, broadly triangular in outline, on long petioles, at the base turning into a brown, leathery, bordered sheath; At the base of the petioles of the leaf lobes there are wide membranous stipules. The leaf blades are double or triple pinnate, their terminal lobes are 2-4.5 cm long, 1-3.5 cm wide, broadly obovate, with 3 large rounded teeth at the apex. The flowers are numerous, in a corymbose panicle, sitting on pedicels 5-20 mm long. The stamens are numerous, with colored filaments, club-shaped in the upper part, widened to the thickness of the anther. The fruits are pendulous, 5-7 mm long, ovoid-elliptical, steeply narrowed at the top, with a bent nose, 4-sided, with membranous wings along the ribs. Blooms in June - July. The flowers are lilac, less often white (see photo), collected in a large corymbose inflorescence. In GBS since 1953 (from Primorye), grows in partial shade. Blooms in June, about three weeks; the seeds ripen in July. In specimens from Primorye (grass, rhizomes), alkaloids +++ and flavonoids + were found (Schreter, 1972). Photo by Mikhail Polotnov |
 Thalictrum aquilegifolium "Thunder Cloud" Photo by Mikhail Polotnov |
 Thalictrum rochebrunianum Photo by Mikhail Polotnov |
 Thalictrum kiosianum Photo by Mikhail Polotnov |
 Thalictrum tuberiferum Photo Photo by Kirill Kravchenko |
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 Thalictrum reniforme Photo of Shakhmanova Tatyana |
 Thalictrum dioicum Photo of Rozantseva Tatyana |
 Thalictrum uncatum Photo by Mikhail Polotnov |
Location: Basil is best grown in the shade. In the sun, the color of the inflorescences by the end of June, especially in dry weather, fades and yellow tones appear. With a lack of moisture, the smell of flowers disappears. Frost-resistant.
The soil: All basil plants are undemanding to the soil, but develop better on fertile, deeply cultivated soil, rich in nutrients and well supplied with moisture.
Care: during periods of drought they need watering. Low-growing basil leaves do not need pruning; waterweed basil leaves are pruned after flowering.
Diseases and pests: In dry weather, aphids attack.
Reproduction: by dividing the bush, cuttings and seeds, which are sown in the beds before winter. Can be sown in spring in protected ground after a month's stratification. The seedlings are unpretentious, develop quickly, and bloom in the second year. The bushes are divided at the end of April or at the beginning of September and planted at a distance of 40 cm from each other. Plants can grow in one place for up to 10 years or more. Cuttings are taken with the “heel” from young shoots with incompletely developed leaves.
Usage: large cornflowers (T. aquilegifolium, T. flavum, T. delavayi, T. rochebrunnianum - in Rohebrunn) are suitable for herbaceous and shrub borders, for planting in large areas and as solitary plants. Small species - as ground cover (T. foetidus - stinky, T. kiusianum - kiusian, T. minus - small), in shady rock gardens (T. alpinum - alpine, T. minus, T. orientale - in. eastern). Their properties, such as abundant self-seeding, stability and competitiveness, attract lovers of natural wild gardens. Inflorescences and foliage are used for cutting. It is interesting to note that a number of species have very modest inflorescences (T. foetidus, T. minus, especially its variety ‘Adiantifolium’) and are used only as ornamental foliage plants.
Partners: Basil looks great against the backdrop of shrubs with dark foliage - mahonias, brilliant cotoneaster, purple-leaved euonymus, as well as next to large-leaved perennials - rhubarb, castor bean, buzulnik. It goes well with Siberian iris, columbine, gravilata, Asian swimsuit, brunnera, astilbe, and phlox.
used materials from the article by Yu. Bazhenov “Clouds on the grass” // “Garden with your own hands” - 2002 - No. 5
Basil is a plant that we often come across, but do not know its name. Low bushes with bright caps of fluffy inflorescences, reminiscent of light clouds, growing in forest clearings - this is the very same cornflower. The forest beauty is also found in cultivated form, in private plots. Its airy inflorescences and bright green foliage fit perfectly into any landscape, and the unpretentiousness of this spectacular representative of the kingdom of Flora attracts many gardeners.
The unusual name of the perennial came from Ancient Rus': according to legend, the healer Vasilisa treated soldiers with a healing decoction, and the plant was named after her. Other names that sound similar are basilisk, basilisa grass, basilisk. The Latin name - thalictrum (taliktrum) - comes from two words translated as “green branch” and “supplication”. And the British, because of the similarity with rue, call the plant meadow rue (meadow rue).
The botanical family of the cornflower is Ranunculaceae (lat. Ranunculaceae), and the closest relatives of meadow rue, known to every gardener, are columbine, anemone, delphinium and clematis. In the wild, the plant is found in Russia, Europe, North America, and even South Africa.
[!] Basil is used by humans not only as an ornamental plant, but also as a medicinal plant for the treatment of colds, heart diseases and skin diseases.
In total, there are at least 150 species in the genus, united by common features. These are perennial plants, the height of which varies from 5 cm to 2 m. The stems are mostly glabrous, and the leaves are usually concentrated at the base of the stem. Depending on the species, the leaves can be either simple or pinnate. Flowers collected in dense or loose inflorescences in the form of a brush or panicle give the plant a special decorative appearance. After flowering, fruits appear in the form of a complex multi-nut.
[!] The flowers of most species have almost complete absence of petals, and long, brightly colored stamens give the inflorescences their characteristic lightness and airiness.
Types and popular varieties of cornflower
At least 15 varieties of perennials are cultivated as a garden crop. Some of them are widespread, others are quite rare. Let's get to know them better:
Basil foliage or catchment (lat. Thalictrum aquilegifolium) can be called perhaps the most popular species, known since the 18th century. These are perennial herbs, the maximum height of which is 1.5 m. The leaves are compound, gray-green, obovate in shape, with stipules. In general, the leaves of this basilisk are similar to the leaves of the columbine, which is why the species received its corresponding name. Small flowers are collected in a panicle of cream, pinkish or lilac color. The peculiarity of an individual flower is long, needle-like stamens, painted in the main color, and inconspicuous small petals. Flowering time is early summer, flowering duration is about a month.
The most famous varieties of watershed cornflower include:
- “Black Stockings” is a variety with bright inflorescences painted in a rich lilac-pink hue.
- "Purpureum" - slightly lighter lilac-pink flowers.
- "Thundercloud" - bright lilac flowers, the total height of the plant is about 80 cm.
- "Album" - original snow-white inflorescences.
V. "Black Stockings", V. "Thundercloud", V. "Album" yellow cornflower(lat. Thalictrum flavum), whose popular name is scrofula or girennik, is also common in garden culture, and both the leaves and flowers of the species are distinguished by their decorative properties. The leaves are elongated, triple pinnate, leathery, bright green. The flowers are collected in paniculate inflorescences up to 12 cm in length. The flower petals are pale green, but the stamens, painted in soft yellow, give the entire inflorescence a golden hue. It usually blooms in July and blooms until the end of summer.
Until recently, breeders were not interested in yellow cornflower, and only in recent years several varieties of this species have appeared:
- 'Illuminator' has lemon yellow fluffy flowers and dark green leaves. The average plant height is about 1.3 m.
- "True Blue" - soft yellow inflorescences against a background of bluish-green carved leaves.
V. "Illuminator". B. "True Blue" [!] This species was widely used in Russian folk medicine, and was also noted in popular herbalists. Official modern medicine does not use yellow cornflower as a medicinal plant.
Basilwort Delavaya(lat. Thalictrum delavayi) or dipterous (lat. Thalictrum dipterocarpum) differs from its closest relatives in bright purple petals and pale yellow stamens, not as fluffy as in previous varieties. The flowers are collected in loose panicles reaching 40 cm in length. Leaves of complex shape, rich green. The beginning of flowering is June, the duration of flowering is all summer. The homeland of Delavaya basilisk is southern China, so this species is considered the least winter-hardy.
Popular varieties:
- 'Hinckley' has soft lilac flowers, purple stems and bright green leaves.
- “Album” is a variety with white flowers that stand out in contrast against the greenery.
- "Hewlett's Double" - luxurious double flowers of a purple-pink hue.
V. "Hinckley", V. "Album", V. "Hewlett's Double" Other types of basil are used much less frequently in garden culture:
Small or common basil(lat. Thalictrum minus) in Altai is called silver grass, cinchona grass or nine-knee and is used in folk medicine, as well as in gardening. This is a herbaceous plant, the maximum height of which is 1 m, with complex, triple-pinnate, beautifully shaped leaves and small pale yellow flowers collected in paniculate inflorescences.
Basil false-petalled or wide-stamened (lat. Thalictrum petaloideum) is distinguished by its small size compared to other species - no more than 35 cm in height. The popular name of the plant is waxflower. Bright white flowers crown the bare stems, and matte, bluish-green leaves are clustered at the base of the perennial.
Basil filamentous(lat. Thalictrum filamentosum) is a low (up to 20 cm) plant with white flowers with long stamens and bright green compound leaves. It is usually used as a ground cover, as it can grow in a short time, forming a dense green carpet.
V. small, V. pseudopetalous, V. filamentous Basil kiuzii or dwarf (lat. Thalictrum kiusianum), like the previous species, is distinguished by its small size. The color of the flowers is delicate pink-lilac, the leaves are green, with a reddish tint. Distributed in Japan and China, considered rare in our latitudes.
Anemone-shaped cornflower or cornflower anemone (lat. Thalictrum thalictroides) - a species that differs from others. The flowers consist of white or pinkish petals and short stamens, the leaves are compound, bright green. The maximum height is no more than 25 cm. For a long time, botanists could not correctly classify the perennial and only in the mid-19th century the species was classified as a basil plant.
Basil rochebrunnensis(lat. Thalictrum rochebrunianum) is a tall (up to 1.5 m) graceful plant with small bright pink flowers collected in loose inflorescences and bright green leaves.
V. kiuzskiy, V. anemoneformes, V. rohebrunskiy In nature, there are a large number of species of basil, but only some of them are suitable for garden cultivation. Most occur naturally in temperate climates.
Basil in landscape design
The diversity of basil leaves opens up great scope for landscape creativity. Depending on the type, they can be used in completely different ways:
- Tall and medium-sized varieties (columbine, yellow, Rochenbrunn) are planted in large groups of several plants. This way you can create a bright accent that attracts attention. A border made of cornflower will also look good. As companion plants for tall species of meadow rue, we can recommend both flowers (columbine, irises, phlox, astilbe) and perennial shrubs (cotoneaster).
[!] One of the problems with growing large species of cornflower is their tendency to lodging in windy weather. Therefore, it is better to plant such plants in places protected from the wind.
- Low basil leaves (kiuzsky, small, filamentous) are used, as a rule, as ground covers. These species look especially good on tree trunks or large standard-shaped shrubs. The convenience of growing such ground covers is undeniable: they grow quickly and do not require pruning or updating.
Due to the characteristics of their cultivation, all types of cornflower are perfect for decorating the banks of artificial reservoirs: ponds, streams, canals.
Lovers of natural landscapes also do not ignore the cornflower: the perennial is able to reproduce on its own and quickly occupy empty areas, forming fluffy lawns.
Care and cultivation
Meadow rue is unpretentious: it is undemanding to the soil, does not require special fertilizing, and is winter-hardy. But there are still some subtleties of caring for a spectacular plant. Which ones exactly, you will find out further.
Location, soil
The correct location of the basil plant is the key to its successful cultivation. The fact is that the natural habitat of most plant species is shady forest edges, thickets of bushes, water meadows, and steep river banks. That is why the best choice of site for planting taliktrum is a shaded place without open sun. However, basil, famous for its unpretentiousness, can grow in a well-lit area, but in this case the color of the inflorescences may change: turn pale or yellow.
Shade tolerance is one of the undeniable advantages of a perennial, because very few ornamental flowering plants are able to grow in the shade.
As for the soil, here too meadow ore demonstrates its flexible character - almost any substrate will do. To create the most optimal conditions, the soil can be further enriched with nutrients.
Watering, fertilizing, pruning
The level of moisture is another parameter important for growing cornflower. Since in nature the plant prefers to settle in places with high groundwater levels, even during artificial cultivation it is necessary to water the perennial quite often, especially during dry periods. In addition, the aroma of well-watered basil is revealed much brighter.
The perennial does not need special fertilizers. Only during the growing season can it be fed a little with organic additives, and this only applies to adult specimens. Basil plants under three years old should not be fed.
In the fall, after flowering, cornflowers are usually pruned at ground level. The procedure is carried out both for aesthetic purposes and to prevent the plant from self-seeding. Only tall types of thalictrum are pruned; low basil plants do not need to be pruned.
Wintering
Almost all types of cornflower are frost-resistant and do not require shelter for the winter. The only exceptions are those varieties whose homeland is the eastern part of Asia (Delavaya cornflower, Rohebrunsky, Kiuzsky). These perennials can be protected from severe frosts by covering them with various types of mulch (peat, fallen leaves, grass clippings) or other covering materials (cardboard, plastic film, polystyrene foam).
Reproduction and planting
Basil reproduces in several ways:
- seeds,
- cuttings,
- dividing the bush.
Basil seeds are collected for subsequent planting in the fall, and in the fall the seeds are sown in the ground. You can plant the seeds in the spring, next year, but in this case, before planting, you need to put them in the refrigerator for a month for stratification. In general, thaliktrum obtained from seeds becomes a mature flowering plant in the second or third year.
[!] Hybrid cornflowers, when propagated by seeds, may not retain their varietal qualities. In this case, it is better to use cuttings or divide the bush.
Cuttings for propagation of basilisk are cut in the spring so that each of them contains 2-3 internodes and a “heel”. After cutting, the cuttings take root in water or a peat-sand mixture, and then are planted for permanent residence.
In addition, you can divide adult specimens of cornflower, thus obtaining two or three new plants. Division is carried out in summer or autumn, before the first frost. To carry out the procedure, select a large healthy plant, dig it up, shake off the soil from the roots and use a sharp knife to cut the root ball into the required number of identical parts. Moreover, each part must contain several shoots. To avoid rotting, the root cuts can be sprinkled with crushed coal. The resulting cornflowers can be replanted in the substrate at a distance of 30-50 cm from each other.
Every gardener in his or her personal plot can create a real masterpiece from various colors and palettes of flowers and ornamental plants. Many people prefer to constantly purchase the most popular new products in floriculture or give preference to some exotic varieties and varieties of flowers, which subsequently require close care. But among all the variety of flowers and plants, we can distinguish representatives with a beautiful appearance and completely simple care, which will be an ideal addition to any landscape design.
This is exactly what the basilisk flower belongs to - a herbaceous plant with very delicate flowers that form a real lush cloud during flowering. Basil, planting and caring for it in open ground is not difficult even for an inexperienced gardener, is a common plant for Russian wildlife.
In this article, we will look at the features of growing the cornflower plant, give characteristics of the most popular species and varieties of this crop, and also note the important points of planting and caring for the flower.
Features and description of basil
Basil is a perennial herbaceous plant that is characterized by its decorative appearance and flowering. Almost 150 representatives of this plant belong to the Buttercup family. The natural habitat of this plant species is the temperate climate in the Northern Hemisphere, the highlands of America and southern Africa. These seemingly simple flowers can be found throughout Europe and Asia; many different types of basil grow in Russia. In the wild, these herbaceous plants prefer to grow on the edges of forests, where there is a lot of sunlight, along the banks and in meadows.
The basil plant was previously very popular in Europe. It could be found in the gardens of noble people and in parks; the peculiarities of its cultivation were written about in old gardening books. These flowers were also loved by people who lived in the Victorian era. However, then there was a lull and this plant was practically forgotten. Just recently, interest in basil has grown again, as natural landscape designs using fairly simple plants with a cute and delicate appearance have now become fashionable.
The name itself is of ancient Greek origin. It comes from the words “thalos”, which means “green branch”, and “icter”, which means “begging”. Literally can be translated as a branch asking for help. In appearance, basil branches are very similar to olive branches, which is a sign of a request for protection. Many associate the origin of the name with the name of the mythical creature Basilisk. The meaning of the name of the basil plant is also associated with the name of the healer who treated warriors in the times of Ancient Rus'. Her name was Vasilisa, but over time the letters in the word got confused and it turned out to be a basil plant. This origin is due to the fact that basil is a medicinal plant that is widely used in folk medicine.
Description of the basilisk:
- Basil is a herbaceous plant for open ground, which belongs to the group of perennials and is distinguished by decorative flowering.
- The root system of the plant is very large and branched. It is also called creeping, as the roots can grow quickly and penetrate long distances underground.
- Basil's stems are erect and very tall. On average, the height of one plant can reach 50-200 cm.
- The stem is most often leafless; less common are varieties with a small number of leaves that grow on the stems.
- Basil leaves are collected in a basal rosette, have a pinnately divided shape, very beautiful and delicate.
- The leaf blade is shiny on the upper side, and has slight pubescence or plaque on the lower side.
- The flowering of this herbaceous perennial begins around June-July, it all depends on the specific type and variety of cornflower. Flowering lasts approximately 3-4 weeks.
- The flowers, which have a rather unusual structure, give basil a special decorative effect. At first glance, it seems that the flower consists of simple petals and a large number of stamens. But in fact, basil flowers do not have petals at all; these are ordinary stipules that can be colored pink or yellowish. After the buds completely open, the sepals fall off and only the stamens remain, which make the flower look like a lush ball.
- The flowers themselves are not very attractive, but they create beautiful inflorescences of different shapes: paniculate, corymbose or racemose.
- The color of the flowers is also different. There are varieties with white, red, yellow, pink, and purple flowers.
- When cornflower blooms, the entire plant appears to be wrapped in a soft and fluffy pink, purple, burgundy or white cloud of flowers.
- The flowers of the plant have a pleasant fragrant aroma that attracts bees and other insects.
- After the inflorescences fade, the fruit, represented by a multi-nut, begins to ripen on the plant. The fruit can be sessile or attached to a stalk; it contains seeds inside.
- Basil seeds are quite large and oblong.
- Basil is popular in landscape design and is also used for cutting. The flowers of this plant can be dried and then used to decorate bouquets.
Variety of types and varieties of cornflower, their characteristics
Today, there are approximately 150 different types of basilisk in nature, which have gained varying degrees of popularity among gardeners and have different appearance characteristics and shades of inflorescences. Here is a description of the most common species and varieties of this plant in Russia.
- Basil foliage. This is one of the most common types of basil, which has a very decorative appearance. In nature it grows in deciduous and mixed forests of Europe. The columbine foliage has a compact shape and medium size; it can reach a height of approximately 1.2-1.5 m. Beautiful leaves and flowers have decorative value. The leaves have an openwork, pinnately divided shape, and a bluish tint. Leaves grow from the root region. It is because of the shape of the foliage that the species was called columbine, since the leaf blade resembles a columbine leaf. Flowering of the plant begins in June and lasts approximately 2 months. White or pale lilac small flowers bloom on the basilisk, which are collected in loose paniculate inflorescences of a round shape. There are many varieties of this type of cornflower: the Album variety - with white flowers up to 90 cm high, the Thundercloud variety - rich purple flowers up to 75 cm high, the Dwarf Purple variety - a low-growing plant up to 45 cm with pink inflorescences.
- Delaway's Basil. The natural habitat of this species of cornflower is the territory of China. It is a herbaceous perennial plant that can reach a height of 120-150 cm. The leaves of the plant are quite large, openwork, dark green in color. Flowering begins around July and lasts until August. Double flowers of a lilac-lilac or pink hue, which are collected in lush paniculate inflorescences, up to 15 cm in diameter. An adult plant can have a flowering cap up to 1 m in diameter. There are popular varieties: Hewlett’s Double - with double purple flowers 1 m high.
- Basil filamentous. The natural habitat is considered to be the territory of the Far East. It is a low-growing perennial herbaceous flower that can reach 15-25 cm in height. The basal leaves are light green in color, with a beautiful pinnately divided shape. Flowering begins in mid-May and lasts for 3 weeks. The flowers are small, white, and collected in beautiful openwork inflorescences. It is a long-liver and can grow in one place for about 20 years. This species is ideal for planting under trees, which form a beautiful ground cover.
- Yellow basil. Its natural habitat is the temperate climate of Eurasia. It is a perennial plant with an erect grooved stem, which can reach a height of 60-150 cm. The stem is slightly covered with leaves, leaves also grow in the root region of the plant. The leaves are beautiful, sharply toothed and obovate leaves with a grey-green hue. The flowers are yellow, collected in beautiful thyroid-paniculate inflorescences of a yellow hue with a pleasant aroma. Flowering begins in June and lasts for two months.
- Small basil. It is a perennial, evenly leafy plant with erect or slightly bent stems up to 80-100 cm high. The stems are covered with leaves of different shapes, which become smaller towards the top. Obovate leaves grow on the top of the stem, then they are pinnately divided, and trifoliate at the roots. The flowers of this species are rather inconspicuous and drooping, forming a loose paniculate inflorescence of a pale greenish-yellow hue. Flowering begins in June and lasts for two months.
- Anemone-shaped basil. Its natural habitat is the eastern territory of North America. This is a perennial, long-flowering plant that looks like an anemone. Because of this, this type of basil is called Anemonella basil. The plant can reach a height of about 15 cm, the stems are erect and bare, sometimes reddish. The leaves of the plant are slightly curved, trilobed, dark green in color, reminiscent of anemone leaves. Flowering begins in April and lasts about a month. The flowers are small, white or pinkish-white, each growing on its own separate stem.
- Basil Rohebrunn. It is considered a rather rare species of basil, which belongs to the garden forms of the plant. It is distinguished by beautiful reddish shoots with evenly spaced bluish-green leaves. It can reach a height of 2 m. Flowering begins in August, the flowers are beautiful purple in color, which bloom in the form of fans that resemble soaring fairies. Its natural habitat is Japan.
Reproduction of basil: description of common methods
The unpretentious basilisk plant can be grown independently at home without any problems. To do this, you need to clearly understand all possible methods of reproduction and know their main features and nuances. Basil can be propagated by several methods: seeds, dividing the bush, cuttings. Each option is possible even for a novice gardener, but it is important to know the clear sequence of events.
Basil seed propagation
- This is a rather labor-intensive method of propagating basil, which involves spending a lot of time and effort. In addition, with such propagation, the plant will not inherit the decorative maternal characteristics.
- First of all, you need to collect the seeds yourself, since they need to be sown only fresh. To do this, in the middle of summer, several inflorescences need to be tied with gauze so that they do not scatter when the seeds ripen.
- After collecting planting material, it is important to dry them thoroughly.
- You can sow seeds directly into open ground before winter or in spring.
- If you decide to sow seeds in the spring after the soil has warmed up, then it is imperative to carry out the stratification process. To do this, the seeds are placed in the refrigerator for about a couple of months.
- Next, you can prepare containers with the soil mixture. Alternatively, you can sow the seeds in the ground.
- After the emergence of seedlings, the seedlings need to be germinated, and young cornflower plants are transplanted to a permanent place after a year.
- Flowering of this plant occurs in the second year after planting.
Basil propagation by cuttings
- This method of propagation is more acceptable for self-propagation of basil, as it requires less costs and allows you to preserve all varietal characteristics.
- The best time for such breeding is spring.
- For cuttings, it is necessary to prepare planting material, and this must be done correctly. Shoots or rhizomes with at least one internode and heel are taken as cuttings, so it is better to pick cuttings rather than cut them. If you still decide to cut the planting material, then it is important to take a disinfected knife.
- Next, it is important to place all the cuttings in a container with a growth stimulator solution, as you will make it easier for the plant to root.
- The cuttings are rooted in light nutritious soil, which can be collected in boxes. It is allowed to plant planting material in open ground in a quiet place.
- Each cutting must be covered on top with a plastic bottle or bag; you can make a general cover using film or glass.
- Plantings need to be watered and ventilated daily.
- Somewhere at the end of summer, the cuttings will become sufficiently strong and rooted, so they can be planted in open ground.
- At first, it is recommended to protect young seedlings from direct sunlight. To do this, it is best to build some kind of canopy or plant planting material in a shaded area.
Reproduction of basil by dividing the bush
- This is another way of vegetative propagation of cornflower, which will not cause any visible trouble.
- Propagation by dividing the bush is considered the most popular and frequently used among gardeners.
- It is recommended to divide the cornflower bush at the very beginning of spring before the active growing season begins.
- To do this, an adult and healthy cornflower bush needs to be carefully dug up and the soil slightly shaken off the roots.
- After this, using a sharp knife or pruning shears, the root system is divided into the required number of parts so that each division has 1-3 growth buds and healthy roots.
- The resulting cuttings are immediately planted in the prepared soil, after which they are watered abundantly.
- For young plants, it is important to regularly water and loosen the soil to ensure a flow of oxygen to the roots.
Preparation before planting cornflower
In all its characteristics, basilisk is considered an unpretentious plant with a large number of positive qualities. Requiring virtually no additional work to grow, basilisk will delight you with beautiful and unusual flowering. The main thing is to properly prepare for planting this plant in compliance with all requirements. It is important to purchase high-quality planting material and find the most suitable place for planting on your site, after which all you have to do is plant the seedling and watch its full development and rapid growth.
Stage 1. Selecting a variety and seedling of cornflower
- First of all, you need to worry about choosing the right variety of cornflower. Today there are a large number of them. Above are just a few of them. It is necessary to buy only zoned varieties that have been successfully adapted to the climate conditions in your region.
- The basil variety is also selected based on its decorative qualities, as well as its height. First, you need to decide on the future garden composition, and then go buy the varieties of cornflower that are required in height.
- You can purchase seedlings, saplings or cornflower seeds at specialized garden centers, nurseries or agricultural companies. Choose the form of planting material based on your personal preferences. Seeds require more time and effort; it is best to buy mature seedlings.
- Before purchasing, it is important to carefully check the planting material. It should have a healthy appearance, strong shoots and elastic roots. There should be no signs of disease or traces of pests.
- You should not purchase basil seedlings from roads or spontaneous markets, as you will not receive any guarantee of what you are paying money for.
Stage 2. Choosing a place to plant cornflower
- Choosing the right place to plant cornflower will be the key to obtaining a beautiful and lushly flowering plant.
- It is important to thoroughly select a site, since cornflower grows in one place for almost 10 years and really does not like transplanting.
- It is necessary to take into account the natural preferences of this plant; it grows wild on sunny edges and on river banks. Therefore, choose a bright place on your site, but not in the very sun, since in this case the stems of the cornflower will stretch out greatly and require frequent watering.
- It is better to choose a place with slight shading, for example, under trees or on the shore of an artificial reservoir or pond.
- Also, you should not choose a place for planting basil near other plants, since this crop does not tolerate any proximity.
Stage 3. Selection and preparation of soil for planting cornflower
- Basil is a completely unpretentious plant regarding the choice of soil; it can grow almost anywhere.
- But if you want to end up with a lush and beautifully flowering plant, it is better to choose well-moistened and fertilized soils with plenty of nutrients. Moderately moist sandy loam or loamy soils are suitable.
- Also, the soil should have a neutral pH level.
- Before planting, it is important to remove all weeds and thoroughly dig the area. After this, the area needs to be loosened and leveled.
Planting cornflower - step-by-step instructions
- Planting basil is not difficult, especially if careful preparatory work has been carried out.
- The best time for planting is spring or autumn.
- Before planting, it is important to prepare planting material. If you bought seedlings with an open root system, they need to be soaked in a growth stimulator for about 5 hours. If seedlings were purchased in pots - for 30 minutes. This is necessary to speed up the rooting of the plant, since cornflower takes root very slowly.
- Next, you need to prepare the planting holes and soil mixture. The size of the hole for planting the seedling will depend on its size. The distance between two planting holes should be approximately 40-50 cm.
- To the soil that was taken out of the hole, you need to add a little complete complex mineral fertilizer, humus and leaf humus. This will allow you to not apply any fertilizer to the plant for the first three years.
- Next, place the cornflower seedlings in the planting holes and sprinkle them with soil.
- After this, the soil needs to be watered abundantly. If the soil has settled, you need to add a little so that the root collar is flush with the surface.
- It is recommended to mulch the tree trunk circle so that the plant takes root faster.
Agricultural technology for growing basil: secrets and nuances of care
Caring for basil will definitely not be a hassle; after proper planting, it can cope quite well on its own. However, from time to time the plant still needs your attention, especially if you want to grow a beautifully blooming flower on your site.
- Watering. Basil plants are considered drought-resistant plants that can tolerate temporary drought. Young plants, as well as bushes that are in direct sunlight, require regular application of water at the root. More mature basilisk plants do well without additional water, except during dry periods in the summer.
- Loosening and mulching. Periodically, the soil around the plants needs to be loosened to increase air flow to the roots. This must be done carefully. All weeds must be removed regularly, as the basil plant cannot stand any kind of proximity. It is also recommended to add mulch to prevent moisture evaporation and overheating of the roots.
- Trimming. Only one type of cornflower needs pruning—columbine. Other varieties are pruned only before the onset of cold weather. If you do not want to self-sow, it is recommended to trim the flower stalks immediately after flowering.
- Feeding. If you added fertilizers during planting, then for the first three years your seedlings will not need feeding. Further they will need to be carried out. The first time fertilizers are applied in the spring before flowering begins with special fertilizers containing nitrogen. You can fertilize flowers in September using organic fertilizers that are incorporated directly into the soil.
- Preparing for winter. All varieties of cornflower have a good level of frost resistance and can tolerate frosts down to -15-30, depending on the variety. But, for example, the Delaway variety needs shelter.
Photo of basil
Basil is a beautiful and simple plant that will certainly decorate and highlight your site, without requiring much effort or expense from you to grow it. This is the whole advantage, understandable to everyone, of flowering plants that have been undeservedly forgotten.
Remarkable decorative characteristics and excellent medicinal properties make such a plant as cornflower increasingly popular among gardeners. Planting and caring for it does not require any special complicated recommendations, so it attracts the attention of many lovers of such beauty.
Basil: a brief description
The basilisk plant belongs to the This plant is distinguished by the following features:
- creeping rhizome;
- erect leafless stem;
- stem, basal and openwork leaves resembling a triangle.
This flower is distinguished by its white, pale pink or purple color. Basil can grow up to two meters in height, and in some cases even more.
Main plant types
Basil grass has about 150 varieties, but the most popular are the following types:
- Delaway's Basil - characterized by lilac-lilac flowers, maximum height of one and a half meters.
- Small basil - blooms and grows up to 1 meter.
- Basil foliage - distinguished by the white or pale lilac color of its flowers, with a maximum height of 120 cm.
- Yellow cornflower grows up to 110 cm, has sharp-toothed leaves of an obovate shape.
- Hybrid basil is distinguished by its relatively large growth, which sometimes exceeds two meters. Flowers come in two colors: light lilac and light yellow.
- Stinky basil leaf. The main feature of the plant is its peculiar unpleasant odor. The flowers are yellowish-violet.
Basil: planting and care
This plant is not too whimsical. But still, there are some features of growing a flower such as basil. Planting and care should preferably be carried out in partial shade, in addition, abundant watering is very important, especially in the summer months. If these simple conditions are violated, some problems may arise for the basil plant:
- pale color of flowers due to exposure to sunlight;
- The flowering period is shortened with insufficient moisture.
The soil for the plant should always be loosened and free of weeds. There are no special requirements for the composition of the soil. It is advisable to fertilize on time, as it affects the splendor of the plant. The best time to apply fertilizer is spring. They must contain nitrogen.
Some varieties of cornflower, such as columbine, require pruning.
Delaway's Basil: cultivation, propagation
This plant reproduces mainly vegetatively, using the method of dividing the bush or by cuttings. But another growing method is also possible: by planting seeds.
The division of the bush is carried out in mid-spring or early autumn. They are planted in moist soil, at a distance of 40 cm from each other.
Taking cuttings should be done in early spring. They are young shoots, which are distinguished by not fully developed leaves. They grow well in open ground.
It is important to plant the seeds before the onset of frost, but in late autumn, in open ground. Already in the second year, the cornflower plant will delight the eye with its flowers. They have a pleasant lilac-lilac color.
It should be noted that Delaway's basilisk grows well in the same place for about 15 years. The plant tolerates frost well. It is also important to water the plantings on time, since insufficient moisture can provoke the invasion of pests such as aphids.
The healing composition of basil. Application in medicine
In alternative medicine, a plant such as cornflower is readily used. Its properties have been known since ancient times. Mostly in alternative medicine, common cornflower and stinking cornflower are used. It contains the following main components:
- tannins;
- alkaloids;
- phytoncides;
- ascorbic acid;
- pyrocatechins;
- glycoside
In the root system, researchers found talikmidin, talmin, taliktrimin, berbirine, talikmin, and glaucine.
Infusions or decoctions of cornflower have the following effects:
- hypotensive;
- antispasmodic;
- antimicrobial;
- sedative.
Basil is used to treat the following diseases:
- gastrointestinal diseases;
- dysmenorrhea;
- uterine bleeding;
- other gynecological diseases;
- problems of ophthalmology;
- lung diseases;
- neurological disorders;
- boils;
- purulent wounds;
- hypertension;
- heart attacks;
- epilepsy;
- malaria;
- colds;
- swelling.
Decoctions, infusions, ointments, and medicinal powder are prepared from cornflower. But it should be remembered that the plant is still poisonous, so it should be used carefully and only after consulting a doctor.
How to properly harvest basil
For medicinal purposes, both the above-ground part of the plant and the rhizome are used. It is recommended to collect herbs in the summer months, that is, during the flowering period. Leaves up to the middle of the stem are suitable for preparing medicine. They are carefully cut off, and the rest of the plant is thrown away; the roots are harvested in the fall.
It is advisable to dry both roots and herbs under a canopy and always in the shade. Dry finished raw materials are distinguished by preserved color, bitter taste and faint odor.
The shelf life of such a healing medicine is no more than three years.
Landscape design and basilisk
The plant is mainly used to create an original unique landscape design:
- design of artisanal and herbaceous borders (large cornflowers);
- as tapeworm plants;
- planting in large areas;
- for decorating and creating exquisite compositions of gardens (small cornflowers).
With the help of this plant, enthusiastic gardeners are able to create impressive compositions. Basil is suitable mainly for decorating backgrounds or solitaires. This plant is distinguished by the exquisite airiness of both flowers and leaves.
Shrubs with dark foliage are excellent partners for cornflower. This is purple-leaved euonymus, Mahonia. This plant also looks great with large-leaved perennials, such as buzulnik, castor bean or rhubarb. Basil goes well with companions, which include phlox, columbine, Asian swimmer, and gravy.
Thanks to such diverse applications, many gardeners increasingly want to see cornflower among their plants, planting and caring for which is natural and does not require following complex recommendations. Only abundant watering and providing a place in partial shade are the main requirements of the basil plant.
Basil is a representative of the ranunculaceae family, which is quite rare in modern gardens. How to plant it correctly and how to care for the plant? What varieties are there and how to grow them from seeds? Answers to these questions, as well as photos of basil among other plants in the garden can be found in the article.
Description of the plant
About 150 species of basilisk are now known, some of which can be found in natural conditions, for example, at the edge of a forest or near a lake. This is a tall, up to 1.5 m, herbaceous perennial with lacy leaves growing from the root. At the tops there are delicate paniculate inflorescences. There are varieties with pink, white, purple, yellow and cream flowers.
A feature of the entire genus is the complete absence of petals, which are mistaken for colored sepals. The main decoration of a flower is the stamens, due to the length and number of which the inflorescences acquire a weightless appearance.
Basil flowers
The decorative period of basil lasts from spring to autumn: at the beginning and end of the season, the garden is decorated with its leaves, and in the summer - with flowers. Cut inflorescences are remarkably preserved. You can create original bouquets from them.
How and where to plant basil
- Landing place. Basil feels good both in the sun and in partial shade. In the second case, its erect stems stretch and in some varieties reach 2 m in height. You can plant basil leaves near ponds and under trees with a high crown. The plant looks good in solitary plantings and large tracts, and next to other crops. Low-growing groundcover species will be a wonderful decoration for a shady rock garden.
Attention! Basil plants do not like transplants. Therefore, you need to plant herbaceous bushes with the expectation that the plant will stay in this place for at least 10 years.
- Best time to plant. It is better to plant cornflower in spring or autumn, having previously trimmed the above-ground part.
Young plants require regular watering
- The soil. The plant is not picky about soil composition. It is necessary to add humus and complex mineral fertilizer to the planting hole. After planting, the soil should be well watered and covered with mulch.
Advice. Before planting, it is better to soak the seedling for several hours in a solution of a growth stimulator.
Plant care
Basil plants can safely be classified as unpretentious inhabitants of the garden. However, you will still have to allocate a little time to carry out the main work.
- Watering. Young plants and specimens growing in full sun require regular watering. In other cases, moisture is sufficient during long dry periods.
- Fertilizers. During the first three years after planting, basil plants do not need feeding. In the future, in the fall, organic matter and a special set of mineral fertilizers for flowering plants should be applied at the root.
- Trimming. Only some species require this procedure, for example, waterweed.
- Regular loosening of the soil and removal of weeds.
Basil shoots
How to propagate basil
You can propagate pretty bushes in three ways:
- sowing seeds;
- cuttings;
- dividing the bush.
Attention! When propagated by seeds, the varietal characteristics of many types of cornflowers disappear.
In order to collect the seeds, the inflorescences are tied with gauze in the middle of summer. This prevents them from falling apart after ripening. The collected seeds are sown in the ground before winter. In spring, seedlings are thinned. Young plants are planted in a permanent place after a year.
With the second propagation method, you can use cuttings taken from shoots or rhizomes. They are planted in the ground and covered with a transparent container. Every day you need to ventilate for half an hour and cover from the sun.
Divide the plant in early spring before growth begins. Each new bush should have 2-3 buds. They are planted in a semi-shady place, watered well and the root zone is covered with mulch.
Basil foliage
The most popular types and varieties
Basil foliage. It has a very decorative appearance, which is why it has been used in gardens for a long time. In nature, it can be found on the damp edges of deciduous and mixed European forests. There are 3 known varieties:
- Album. Quite tall (up to 90 cm) bush with white panicle inflorescences.
- Thundercloud. The bush reaches 75 cm in height. The inflorescences are very bright, deep purple.
- Dwarf Purple. Low-growing variety (45 cm). The flowers are pink.
yellow cornflower. It is endowed with feathery, three-toothed leaves, colored light gray. The height of the stem ranges from 1 to 2 m. The yellow fluffy panicle inflorescences are very decorative. In the wild it is found near swamps and lakes, in damp meadows and ravines.
Breeders have obtained cultural hybrid forms from this species, for example, True Blue. The stems of this plant are very strong and do not fall to the ground even after heavy rain and wind.
Advice. It is better to tie tall varieties of basil plants to a reliable support.
Basil light or narrow-leaved. The compound leaves of this species consist of several very thin, dark green leaves. The inflorescences, which look like dense pyramidal panicles of golden color, are located at the top of a one and a half meter erect stem. Flowering lasts more than a month. It grows wild throughout almost all of Europe. Popular culture in Turkey. Recently it has been successfully grown in Russia.
Light basil
Simple basil. It can be found in meadows, steppes and woodlands of the European part of Russia, in Siberia, the Caucasus and in the Far East. Gardeners are more attracted to the lacy foliage of this species than to its inconspicuous pink flowers. Very unpretentious look.
Advice. It is better to limit plantings of simple basil. Otherwise, its rhizome quickly spreads.
Alpine basil. This species can be found in the highlands of the northern hemisphere. Its height is only 5-20 cm, so it is great for planting in rock gardens. The inflorescences are dim, brown in color. The plant does not tolerate stagnation of water - it needs to be provided with good drainage.
Alpine basil