Perilla - Shiso - Bicoloured
This hardy annual, from Korea, grows to the height of 1.5m. It grows large, aromatic, green leaves, with a purple underside. Use young shoots in salads or steamed vegetables.
Sow indoors in trays in warmth. Germination takes 1-2 weeks. Pot on, plant out 30cm apart. Or sow outdoors in a warm sunny position, throughout spring and summer, and thin to 30cm spacing. Prefers site in full sun but moist rich soil. Sow seed on surface, needs light to germinate so cover lightly. Caution: this herb is poisonous to horses and cattle!