This is the first year I've grown Holy Basil (also called Sacred Basil or Tulsi). I tend to avoid exotic herbs, preferring common and local, but after tasting Holy Basil tea at a class with herbalist / acupuncturist Will Siff (Goldthread Apothecary), I knew I needed to make room for it in the garden.

And I'm so glad I did! Besides being a very enjoyable and healthful herb (pretty to look at, a beautiful fragrance, delicious sortof licorice-candy flavor, and an energy-enhancing adaptogen), the bees in my garden are loving it!

It's interesting to see which herbs bees prefer~ I mean, I see bees and other insects on all the plants, but I notice that certain herbs are more heavily trafficked. Lemon balm, bee balm, mints, oregano, and echinacea (purple coneflower) are favorites. Makes sense to me that the same herbs that are good for us are good for other critters too.