Perilla frutescens
Origin: Korea
Improvement status: Unknown
Seeds per packet: ~40
Germination tested 12/25: 39%
Life cycle: Annual
This is a large-leafed green shiso from Korea, brought to the US by a friend of our grower's. Good for oilseed production — producing an edible oil that tastes similar to sesame oil — and flavorful leaves, used as a seasoning themselves or as an edible wrapper for other foods. Shiso is a mint-family (Lamiaceae) annual from East Asia, especially popular in Korea and Japan.
These seeds come from our friend Andy Jo at Space Dog Farms in Minnesota.
GROWING TIPS: Direct sow after danger of frost has passed, or start indoors a few weeks earlier. Shiso is prone to naturalizing, so do your best to harvest every seed unless you want it in your garden for many years. If it does begin to settle in against your wishes, you can get it of it by diligently weeding out seedlings for the next couple years.
