Perilla frutescens
Shiso
Lamiaceae (Labiatae)
Annuals, Herbs
Native from the Himalayas to eastern Asia. Sturdy, leafy warm-weather plant grows very quickly to 2 or 3 ft. tall, 1 ft. wide. Broadly ovate, deeply toothed leaves reach 5 in. long. The kind most commonly seen has bronzy or purple leaves that look much like those of coleus. Fancy Fringe strain has deeply cut and fringed leaves in dark bronzy purple. Shiso makes an attractive addition to summer borders, but various parts of the plant are also edible. Use leaves as a vegetable or flavoring (they taste something like mint, something like cinnamon); fry the long, thin clusters of flower buds in tempura batter and serve as a vegetable. In Asia, the seeds are pressed for edible oil. Extremely easy to grow; self sows freely.
Tagetes patula
Varieties from 6 in. to 1 1/2 ft. high and wide, in flower colors from yellow to rich maroon brown. Bl...
Gaillardia aristata
Parent of popular hybrid G. X grandiflora. Has been largely replaced in garden cultu...
Lobelia erinus
From South Africa. Popular, dependable edging plant 3 to 6 in. high. Compact forms reach 5–9 in....
Find Your Sunset Climate Zone
Advertisement
