It's not just the smell/taste that I love about basil, but its cool ability to so easily cross with others in its family (that sounds a little wrong doesn't it) and such simple propagation (cut, add to water, wait for roots) makes me think of it as a saint among herbs.
So at the Memphis Master Gardener's Spring Fling earlier this year I got really excited when I saw a much coveted African blue basil plant and broke my plant buying moratorium (exotics/helpful perennials are more exempt from my new rule).
African Blue basil is a hybrid between an east African basil and "Dark Opal" basil, so it will unfortunately not produce true seeds (or seeds at all is what I've heard). Though considered rather ornamental with gorgeous lavender flowers, it is highly fragrant witch a spicy clove-camphor scent. Descriptions like that make me wish Smell-o-vision was available online!
The basil I bought was greenhouse grown and very nice and full, a great deal at $4 for its size and rarity. It was already had racemes ready to flower, but as I wanted a large, strong and healthy plant I cut the racemes off so it would put its energy into growth rather than flowering.
I took a few cuttings from the side of the mother plant too and popped them in water for rooting so it will be part insurance (in case the one outside gets killed) and part easy gift giving for those others who love basil. Life is good.
Interesting Links:
http://articles.sfgate.com/2005-07-23/home-and-garden/17383831_1_basil-cuttings-companion-plants
http://www.superbherbs.net/AfricanBlueBasil.htm
