Shiso ‘Purple Frills’

Perilla frutescens

Features

  • Edible
  • Foliage & Filler
  • Fragrant
  • Heat-loving
  • Medium producer

Description

Also known in the trade as ‘Purple’

With striking, deep chocolaty-maroon foliage, this plant provides exceptional textural interest to arrangements. Leaves are crimped and curled with serrated edges. Flowers are nondescript, and this variety is a superb, scented dark foliage choice from midsummer through autumn.

Details

Plant type: annual
Height: 24 to 36 in
Site: full sun
Days to maturity: 80 to 85 days
Plant spacing: 12 in
Pinch: not necessary

Seed Sowing & Growing Notes

Start seed indoors 4 weeks before last frost. Seed requires light to germinate, so cover lightly. Speed up germination by popping seeds in the refrigerator or freezer for 2 to 3 weeks before sowing.

Harvesting/Vase Life

Harvest when the foliage has become thick and the stems are woody, or any time after a flower spike begins to emerge. Be sure to cut during the coolest part of the day to minimize wilting. Immediately after harvest, dip the bottom few inches of the stems in boiling water for 7 to 10 seconds, or use Quick Dip, then place into cool water. Expect a vase life of 10 to 14 days.

Details

Description

Also known in the trade as ‘Purple’

With striking, deep chocolaty-maroon foliage, this plant provides exceptional textural interest to arrangements. Leaves are crimped and curled with serrated edges. Flowers are nondescript, and this variety is a superb, scented dark foliage choice from midsummer through autumn.

Details

Plant type: annual
Height: 24 to 36 in
Site: full sun
Days to maturity: 80 to 85 days
Plant spacing: 12 in
Pinch: not necessary

Seed Sowing & Growing Notes

Start seed indoors 4 weeks before last frost. Seed requires light to germinate, so cover lightly. Speed up germination by popping seeds in the refrigerator or freezer for 2 to 3 weeks before sowing.

Harvesting/Vase Life

Harvest when the foliage has become thick and the stems are woody, or any time after a flower spike begins to emerge. Be sure to cut during the coolest part of the day to minimize wilting. Immediately after harvest, dip the bottom few inches of the stems in boiling water for 7 to 10 seconds, or use Quick Dip, then place into cool water. Expect a vase life of 10 to 14 days.

Sources

How to Grow

Fall Mini Course

Learn how to successfully dig, divide & store dahlias for an abundance of blooms year after year

In our upcoming free, three-part video series, you’ll learn how and when to dig up your dahlia tuber clumps, how to divide dahlias to multiply your stock, and how to successfully store dahlias for an abundance of blooms year after year.