Perilla foliage catches the eye

Hey there, time traveller!
This article was published 29/05/2007 (6987 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.

MANITOBA farmers may have their fields seeded, but there’s been precious little planting going on in my garden. My usual horticultural plans for the May long weekend fell right along with the rain and the temperature.

But with the extra time on my hands, I dug up some information on a few interesting plants I’m hoping to try this year.

Perilla is a genus new to me, though it is grown around the world, especially in Asia. Similar in appearance to frilly-leaved Coleus (they are both in the mint family), several species of Perilla frutescens have culinary uses in addition to their ornamental attributes. Sometimes referred to as beefsteak plant, the Perilla is a fast-growing, heat-loving annual that propagates easily from seed or cuttings. Like Coleus, it’s flowers are insignificant, but it’s foliage is fabulous and sweetly cinnamon-scented.

There are deep-purple Perilla frutescens that are used to flavour fish, tofu and tempura. Its leaves also impart a rich red colour to pickles and preserves. The green-leaved variety is popular with sushi chefs.

Several Perillas have now been bred for ornamental applications. Magilla Perilla, with leaves marked with shades of purple, pink, green and cream, first showed up 2002. Plants look a lot like some variegated Coleus but can grow 60-90 cms in a sunny location with fertile, moist soil.

A few years later came the clone Perilla magilla vanilla, which has lime-green foliage with a broad wedge of cream down the centre of each leaf. At about 30 cms tall, it’s more compact that Magilla Perilla, and it prefers a part-shade spot in the garden. Both are suitable for containers.

Not to be outdone, Proven Winners has now developed a Coleus-Perilla cross called Gage’s Shadow. It’s main claim to fame is its large burgundy-black leaves with varying degrees of brilliant green venation. Plants will reach or surpass the heights of the species Perilla, but are sturdier than Coleus and are better able to stand up in pelting summer rain and wind.

Sage Garden Herbs here in Winnipeg carries the Perilla frutescen “Purple Shiso” plants, while seeds for both green and purple Perilla are available from Richter’s Herbs (mail order and online). Ask for Magilla Perilla and Magilla vanilla at garden centres. I’m going to write it down and say it sloooowly… it might come out as Milli Vanilli.

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Tickets for the first-ever Free Press garden tour June 22 (6 p.m. to 8:30 p.m.) and June 23 (10 a.m. to 4 p.m.) are now available. Proceeds of this self-guided tour go to the Newspaper in Education Fund ,which helps build literacy skills in Winnipeg and rural Manitoba schools. Find landscaping inspiration and appreciation for beautiful gardens both large and small. Tickets are $20 or two for $30 and include a 15 per cent discount, plus tea and dainties, at Shelmerdine Garden Centre on June 23. Call Christa at 697-7064 or register online at www.winnipegfreepress.com.

Coming events

* West Kildonan Horticultural Society will be going on a field trip for its next meeting on June 5 to MacBeth House, 31 MacBeth St. The speaker is Cheryl Hemming from the City of Winnipeg. Her topic will be Restoring The Tall Grass Prairie. Everyone is welcome to attend. Admission is $3 for members with a card and $5 for guests. Annual family memberships are $10. The event begins at 7 p.m. For more information, call 633-1283.

linda.stilkowski@freepress.mb.ca