An urban herb tree has scooped Best New Horticultural Developent at the recent IPM horticulture trade show.
Tree Basil, for use in consumer kitchens, won the prize from a total 56 plants that took part in the Innovation Showcase at the event in Essen, Germany.
It was also one of seven products to be awarded the title IPM Innovation 2014.
Developed by Hishtil, which grafts basil onto special root stocks, Tree Basil provides a non-stop supply of basil leaves, as long as no more than 30 per cent of the leaves are harvested within a week.
While regular basil plants are normally short-lived, lasting less than a year, Tree Basil can last for several years if cared for correctly.
The plants have improved tolerance to drought, and their additional strength attained through grafting means they can withstand harsher climates than non-grafted basil.
This is the first time an Israeli-developed plant has won a prize at the show, which has been held annually for the past 32 years.
Hishtil, Israel’s largest horticulture company and nursery, was started over three decades ago by Yechezkel Dagan, a refugee from the Holocaust who was born and spent his early years in Essen.
