Perilla

There are six species of these annual plants and they are found across a large temperate area in the East from Japan to India. They are grown for their interesting, sometimes convoluted foliage which is used for both ornamental and culinary purposes. Perilla frutescens is the form most commonly seen in domestic cultivation. This has aromatic leaves with serrated foliage in shades of green, cream, bronze and purple. There are forms that have leaves with crisped edges. The leaves are eaten both raw, cooked and pickled. They are often grown in containers or at the front of the border, or may be found in the herb or vegetable garden.