Shiso

Think of shiso like a coleus for sun. In fact, it's closely related to coleus and serves the same role -- to add colorful foliage and an exotic feel to beds, borders, and containers. Some varieties of this plant, though, are treated as an herb and eaten. Others are grown as colorful ornamentals that thrive in both shade and sun. It can be difficult to find in some garden centers, but is becoming more commonly available. Some types of shiso will self-seed in the garden.

Light:

Sun,Part Sun,Shade

Plant Type:

Annual

Plant Height:

To 3 feet tall

Plant Width:

To 2 feet wide

Landscape Uses:

Containers,Beds & Borders

Special Features:

Attractive Foliage,Fragrant,Easy to Grow

Top Varieties

---

Purple beefsteak plant

(Perilla frutescens 'Atropurpurea') bears citrus-scented purple leaves that have a metallic bronze overlay. It grows 3 feet tall and 1 foot wide and can self-seed vigorously in the garden.
view >

Gage's Shadow shiso

(Perilla 'Gage's Shadow') bears burgundy foliage shaded with green. It grows 3 feet tall.
view >

Magilla shiso

(Perilla 'Magilla') bears burgundy leaves with a magenta-red stripe down the center and is often confused with coleus. It grows to 3 feet tall.
view >

Garden Plans

---

Side-Yard Cottage Garden Plan

Plant It With

---

Spider Flower

Tall varieties of spider flower look great rising above clumps of dark-leafed shiso.

New Guinea Impatiens

Bold magenta-pink New Guinea impatiens look great with shiso varieties such as 'Magilla'.

Coleus, shade-loving with blended leaf

Create dramatic combinations by combining colorful coleus with shiso.

Propagation

---

Seed
Stem Cuttings