Perilla frutescens var. crispa. This highly ornamental shiso variety has entirely bicoloured leaves with bright leafy green above and rich burgundy beneath. All parts of the plant can be used, but the immature leaves and flowering tips are particularly tender. Hojiso Perilla Shiso is s strongly flavoured herb that is much loved in Japanese and Korean cuisine. The broad, highly serrated leaves can be used to wrap bites of food. The flower tips can be added to salads or used to garnish soups. The leaves can be used to dye foods such as pickled ginger. Even the fresh seeds are edible and can be pickled. The plant is a warmth-loving annual that grows to 100cm (39") tall in the garden. In containers it may remain somewhat more compact at 40cm (16") tall.

• Truly bicoloured leaves
• Strongly flavoured
• Works well in containers
• Easy to grow