Anise is a dainty, herbaceous plant most famous for the liquorice flavour of its leaves and seeds. Use the leaves fresh in salads and soups, and the seeds for flavouring cookies, pastries, and confections.

Black Beauty was introduced about 1910 and has long been popular with home gardeners. An excellent quality variety, early to mature it gives and abundant crop of tasty fruits that are clear of the ground. Sturdy plants produce high yields of glossy, purple-black, pear-shaped fruit.

Aubergine Moneymaker F1 is an excellent choice for the British climate. An early-cropping variety that doesn’t need Mediterranean heat. Large, glossy purplish-black skinned oval fruits The fruits hold their quality and colour well after picking.

Basil Bush is a dwarf, compact variety, approximately half the size of sweet basil, it is ideal for planting in pots and probably the easiest basil to grow, it is perfect for the kitchen window sill and for container gardening.

This Basil is very true to its name, and had a distinct cinnamon aftertaste, although initially it very much resembles sweet basil, but with a cooler flavour. Use this herb just as you would use sweet basil.

Dark Opal is a beautiful Basil. With regal, purple-black glossy foliage and a delicious aroma, use as a culinary herb or as an ornamental plant in the border. The lovely pale pink flowers are highly attractive to bees and butterflies.

Greek Basil is an improved variety of 'Bush'. It has a tight compact growing habit and forms a perfectly spherical bush appearing as though having been pruned.

This basil is true to its name. It smells beautiful and has a very mild flavour. Try it in pesto, salad dressings, sauces, fish dishes and desserts.

Purple Ruffles is probably the prettiest of basils, if not of all herbs. While it deserves a place in your kitchen garden, it also makes an excellent contrasting plant in a border. Tempting though it is to admire your plant, one taste will have you tearing the leaves of by the armful.