Shiso
Perilla Frutescens

days to maturity: 80 - 85 Days
plant spacing: 1-3 plants per square foot
sunlight requirements: 6-14 hours
look out for: it can spread throughout your garden so best to keep it from going to seed
harvest notes: harvest whole branches 6” down
perennial

Also known as Japanese basil, perilla and beefsteak, shiso has a unique aromatic fragrance and pairs well with everything from fried foods to lean sushi, and dishes with robust flavor. Shiso is a member of the mint family and has large teardrop-shaped leaves with serrated edges. Have you ever had sushi that was accompanied by a fresh green leaf? Perhaps you assumed it was a garnish, like parsley, and didn’t touch it. Next time, take a piece of sashimi and wrap it around the shiso leaf and eat it - it’s quite delicious. Shiso is also very easy to grow in a container and loves having a sunny location. There are green and purple varieties of shiso, and either
one is a wonderful addition to a kitchen garden.