Ocimum basilicum 'Red Sapphire' or Red Basil is an annual herb with deep burgundy coloured oval leaves and purple to red flowers on spikes.
It grows from a single stalk yet has many branches.
It is an important culinary herb providing a warm and spicy flavour to salads or in pesto.
It is particularly good with sliced tomatoes and is a great accompaniment to garlic.
This is a very easy herb to grow and is particularly good as a companion plant in that it tends to keep insect pests away due to its powerful fragrance.
An obvious addition to herb gardens and window boxes - but also a useful plant in amongst mixed borders where it provides colour contrast and some spicy fragrance too.