Basil Trials Report

2012

Trials Office, The Royal Horticultural Society Garden, Wisley, Woking, Surrey, GU23 6QB

Final Report for Trial No. 1916 –Basil (Ocimum basilicum) 2012 1

RHS Trial of Basil

Introduction:

There were 40 entries in the Trial of Basil submitted by various companies in the UK, Europe and North America. The objectives of the trial were to assess a range of cultivars;

to recommend the Award of Garden Merit [AGM] to outstanding cultivars for garden use and to demonstrate the cultivation of this crop.

Judging and Recommendation for the Award of Garden Merit:

The trial was assessed for the Award of Garden Merit (AGM) by the Vegetable Trials Assessment Panel on 2 August 2012 using the following criteria:

Habit : scent : taste : vigour: resistance to pest and disease: weather resistance

The Panel recommended the Society's AWARD OF GARDEN MERIT (H1c) to:

‘Aroma 2’ AGM (H1c) 2012. [Trial No 2]. Sent by and available from Johnsons Seeds Ltd, Kentford, Suffolk, CB8 7QB. www.johnsons-seeds.com

Standard Genovese type. Lovely aroma, good disease resistance, quite tall. Showing good disease and weather resistance.

Available from seed catalogues in the UK

‘Pluto’ AGM (H1c) 2012. [Trial No 3]. Sent by and available from Unwins Seeds Ltd, Alconbury Hill, Huntingdon, Cambridgeshire, PE28 4HY. www.unwins.co.uk Bush-type, of small, even, dome-shaped habit, growing to circa 20cm. Leaves are fine, mid-green and aromatic. Holds form well and slow to flower. Showing good disease and weather resistance. Available from seed catalogues in the UK

Final Report for Trial No. 1916 –Basil (Ocimum basilicum) 2012 2

‘Salvo’ AGM (H1c) 2012. [Trial No 15]. Sent by and available from CN Seeds Ltd, Main Street, Pymoor, Ely, Cambridgeshire, CB6 2ED www.cnseeds.co.uk Neat, upright habit, growing to circa 45cm. Mid-green leaves are slightly smaller than typical Genovese type and with a pleasant taste. The younger leaves are slightly keeled, flattening with age. White flowers attract bees. Holding well and showing excellent disease and weather resistance. Available from at least one seed catalogue in the UK

‘Emerald’ AGM (H1c) 2012. [Trial No 16]. Sent by and available from CN Seeds Ltd, Main Street, Pymoor, Ely, Cambridgeshire, CB6 2ED www.cnseeds.co.uk Neat, upright habit, growing to circa 45cm. Large mid-green leaves are typical Genovese type and with a pleasant taste. The younger leaves are slightly keeled, flattening with age. White flowers attract bees. Although a few losses, holding well and showing good weather resistance. Available from at least one seed catalogue in the UK

Ocimum x africanum Lemon AGM (H1c) 2012. [Trial No 26]. Sent by and available from Pro-Veg Seeds Ltd, 6 Shingay Lane, Shawston, Cambridgeshire, CB22 3SS. www.provegseeds.com Compact, even plant growing to circa 30cm. Aromatic with a sherbet-lemon scent and taste. Fine leaves : keeled as young foliage. Flowers are white, and attractive to bees. Plants hold well and show good disease and weather resistance. Available from seed catalogues in the UK

Final Report for Trial No. 1916 –Basil (Ocimum basilicum) 2012 3

‘Thai Sita’ AGM (H1c) 2012. [Trial No 29]. Sent by and available from Unwin Seeds Ltd, Alconbury Hill, Huntingdon, Cambridgeshire, PE28 4HY. www.unwins.co.uk Neat, upright habit, growing to circa 30cm. Fine, dark-green leaves. Flowers are bicolour: purple and white with purple bracts, and attractive to bees. Despites a few losses the plants hold well and show good disease and weather resistance. Available from seed catalogues in the UK

red-leaved AGM (H1c) 2012. [Trial No 32]. Sent by and available from Mr Fothergill’s Seeds Ltd, Gazeley Road, Kentford, Suffolk, CB8 7QB. www.mr-fothergills.co.uk Also sent by Pro-Veg Seeds. Bushy, upright habit, growing circa 45cm. Deep purple stems and leaves. Mild aroma and taste. Flowers are bi-colour: purple and white, with purple bracts, and attractive to bees. Showing good disease and weather resistance. Available from seed catalogues in the UK

‘Mrs Burns’ Lemon’ AGM (H1c) 2012. [Trial No 37]. Sent by Kings Seeds Ltd, Monks Farm, Kelvedon, Colchester, Essex, CO5 9PG. www.kingsseeds.com Tall, upright, neat habit, growing to circa 60cm. Fine, mid-green leaves are aromatic and intensely lemon scented. Flowers are white, and attractive to bees. Plants hold well and show good disease and weather resistance. Available from seed catalogues in the UK

The following entries have been recommended for the AGM, SUBJECT TO AVAILABILITY. These cannot receive the award until they become available.

Kitchen Basil AGM (H1c) 2012. [Trial No 7]. Sent by Tozer Seeds Ltd, Pyports, Downside Bridge Road, Cobham, Surrey KT11 3EH. www.tozerseeds.com Bush-type. Fairly compact, upright plant with even habit. Appealing look, Genovese type of good flavour. Showing good disease and weather resistance. Not yet available.

Final Report for Trial No. 1916 –Basil (Ocimum basilicum) 2012 4

‘Bernardo’, also known as ‘Pesto’ AGM (H1c) 2012. [Trial No 8]. Sent by Tozer Seeds Ltd, Pyports, Downside Bridge Road, Cobham, Surrey KT11 3EH. www.tozerseeds.com Bushy, upright habit, growing circa 45cm. Purple stem and large, dark-green leaves flushed with purple. Pungent aroma and taste. Flowers are bi-colour: purple and white, with purple bracts, and attractive to bees. Showing good disease and weather resistance. Not yet available.

‘Chilly’ AGM (H1c) 2012. [Trial No 17]. Sent by Tozer Seeds Ltd, Pyports, Downside Bridge Road, Cobham, Surrey KT11 3EH. www.tozerseeds.com Compact, even plant with an upright habit, growing circa 45cm. Very aromatic with a strong taste. Flowers are white, and attractive to bees. Although a few losses, holding well and showing good weather resistance. Not yet available.

British Basil AGM (H1c) 2012. [Trial No 18]. Sent by Tozer Seeds Ltd, Pyports, Downside Bridge Road, Cobham, Surrey KT11 3EH. www.tozerseeds.com Compact, even plant with an upright habit, growing to circa 30cm. Aromatic with a pleasant, mild taste. Mid-green foliage. Younger leaves are keeled, flattening with age. Flowers are white, and attractive to bees. Plants hold well and show excellent disease and weather resistance. Not yet available.

Entries, Senders and Awards AGM = RHS Award of Garden Merit H1c = can be grown outside in the summer throughout most of the UK while day-time temperatures are high enough to promote growth.

Final Report for Trial No. 1916 –Basil (Ocimum basilicum) 2012 5

Index of Plants in the Trial

Number Received As

Name

Sender

1 ‘Aristotle’ Ocimum basilicum ‘Aristotle’

Floranova

2 Aroma 2 O. basilicum ‘Aroma 2’ Johnsons Seeds

3 Pluto O. basilicum ‘Pluto’ Unwins

4 Bush Spicy Globe O. basilicum ‘Spicy Globe’

Western Hybrid Seeds

5 Profumo O. basilicum ‘Profumo’ (PBR)

Pre-Veg Seeds

6 Italian O. basilicum ‘Italian’ Unwins

7 Kitchen Basil (TZ0363) O. basilicum Kitchen Basil

Tozer Seeds

8 Pesto O. basilicum ‘Bernardo’ (PBR)

Tozer Seeds

9 Sweet Green O. basilicum ‘Sweet Green’

Thompson & Morgan

10 Floral Spires (Lilac) O. basilicum ‘Floral Spires Lavender’

Floranova

11 Floral Spires (White) O. basilicum ‘Floral Spires White’

Floranova

12 Fragrant Flowers O. basilicum ‘Fragrant Flowers’

Tozer Seeds

13 Puck O. basilicum ‘Puck’ Tozer Seeds

14 Classico O. basilicum ‘Classico’ Thompson & Morgan

15 Salvo O. basilicum ‘Salvo’ CN Seeds

16 Emerald O. basilicum ‘Emerald’ CN Seeds

17 Chilly (TZ8073) O. basilicum ‘Chilly’ Tozer Seeds

18 British Basil (TZ6098) O. basilicum British Basil

Tozer Seeds

19 Pistou O. basilicum ‘Pistou’ Clause

20 Tigullio O. basilicum ‘Tigullio’ Seeds of Italy

21 Gigante Napoletano O. basilicum ‘Napolentano’

Pro-Veg Seeds

22 Lettuce Leaf O. basilicum lettuce leaf

Unwins

23 Mammola O. basilicum ‘Mammola’ (PBR)

Pro-Veg Seeds

Final Report for Trial No. 1916 –Basil (Ocimum basilicum) 2012 6

Number Received As

Name

Sender

24 Bolloso Napolitano O. basilicum ‘Napolentano’

Seeds of Italy

25 Giant Oakleaf O. basilicum ‘Giant Oakleaf’

Western Hybrid Seeds

26 Lemon Ocimum x africanum Pro-Veg Seeds

27 Lime Ocimum x africanum ‘Lime’

Western Hybrid Seeds

28 Liquorice O. basilicum ‘Horapha’ Western Hybrid Seeds

29 Thai Sita O. basilicum ‘Thai Sita’ Unwins

30 Basilico Rosso O. basilicum red-leaved

Pro-Veg Seeds

31 Dark Opal O. basilicum ‘Dark Opal’

Pro-Veg Seeds

32 Red Leaved O. basilicum red-leaved

Mr Fothergill’s Seeds

33 Crimson King O. basilicum ‘Crimson King’ (PBR)

Tozer Seeds

34 Christmas O. basilicum ‘Christmas’

Tozer Seeds

35 Special Spice O. basilicum ‘Special Spice’

Western Hybrid Seeds

36 Holy Basil Ocimum tenuiflorum Pro-Veg Seeds

37 Mrs Burns’ Lemon O. basilicum ‘Mrs Burns’ Lemon’

Kings Seeds

38 Queenette O. basilicum ‘Queenette’

Kings Seeds

39 Freddy

O. basilicum ‘Freddy’ Kings Seeds

40 Boza O. basilicum ‘Red Boza’

Kings Seeds

Contact details of senders:

Clause, Rue Louis Saillant, ZI La Motte, BP 83, 26802, Portes-les-Valence, France

www.hmclause.com

CNSeeds, Pymoor Pymoor, Ely, Cambrigeshire, CB6 2ED www.cnseeds.co.uk

Floranova, Norwich Road, Foxley, Dereham Norfolk,NR20 4SS floranova.co.uk

Johnsons Seeds, Kentford, Newmarket, Suffolk CB8 7QB www.johnsons-seeds.com

Final Report for Trial No. 1916 –Basil (Ocimum basilicum) 2012 7

Kings Seeds Ltd, Monks Farm, Pantlings Lane, Kelveden, Essex, CO5 9PG www.kingsseeds.com

Mr Fothergills’ Seeds, Gazeley Road, Kentford, Newmarket, Suffolk CB8 7QB www.mr-fothergills.co.uk

Pro-Veg Seeds Ltd, 6 Shingay Lane, Sawston, Cambridgeshire, CB22 3SS www.provegseeds.com

Seeds of Italy, A1 Phoenix Business Park, Rosslyn Crescent, Harrow, HA1 2SP, www.seedsofitaly.com

Thompson & Morgan Ltd, Poplar Lane, Ipswich, Suffolk, IP8 3BU www.thompson-morgan.com

Tozer Seeds Ltd, Pyports, Downside Bridge Road, Cobham, Surrey KT11 3EH. www.tozerseeds.com

Unwins Seeds Ltd, Alconbury Hill, Huntingdon, Cambridgeshire, PE28 4HY. www.unwins.co.uk

Western Hybrid Seeds Inc., PO Box 1169, Hamilton City, CA 95951, USA

Source: Horticultural Trials and Relations, RHS Garden Wisley, Woking, Surrey GU23 6QB

Tel: 01483 224234 & Email: trials@rhs.org.uk

More information about RHS Trials and other Trials reports can be found on the RHS Website at www.rhs.org.uk/trials