Perilla frutescens var. Crispa ‘Red Shiso’

JAPANESE RED BASIL or RED SHISO

Perilla frutescens var. Crispa ‘Red Shiso’
JAPANESE RED BASIL or RED SHISO

Perilla frutescens var. Crispa ‘Red Shiso’ has a centuries long history in Japanese and Asian cuisines, and in traditional herbal medicine.

Edible herb with unique flavour – citrus + mint + basil + cinnamon

Red Shiso has a unique flavour – though you will recognize the taste if you love Japanese and Asian cuisines, where it is widely used.
The herb can best be described as combining the tastes of citrus, mint, basil, cinnamon and a dash of anise.
It is used in pickling, fresh salads, sashimi, preserves and cooked dishes.

Refreshing herbal tea

As well as cooking, the leaves of Red Shiso are very popular used fresh to make a refreshing, tangy, health-giving tea.
Just steep fresh leaves in boiling water for a drink with fabulous red colour as well as great taste.

Ancient traditional medicine

Shiso is used in traditional Chinese medicine to aid digestion, soothe the nerves and cleanse bodily toxins.
This red leafed form of Shiso (it also comes in green and bi-coloured forms) is particularly rich in anthocyanins – anti-oxidants.

Great garden show

And it makes an excellent colour statement in the flower garden, or to grow decoratively with other edibles in the veggie garden.

Vivid purple-red foliage with ruffles & crispy edges

It is worth growing Perilla frutescens var. Crispa ‘Red Shiso’ as a decorative plant, even if you never eat a single leaf.
Each purple-red leaf is crinkled, curled, ruffles and feathered along the edges.
So the bushes create a grand colour and texture statement in the flower / herb / veggie garden – wherever you want an eye-catching colour statement.

Highly aromatic

Rather like the aromatics Basil and Mint, Red Shiso has a strong aromatic presence.
So it is a delight to pick and sniff as you wander the garden, or use in pot-pourri.

Hardy & easy to grow

Red Shiso are very hardy, unfussy and easy plants to grow – wherever and whenever you grow Basil in your district.
As they thrive in a wide range of soils, as long as the soil is well drained, and they have some sun.
They love tropical and sub-tropical climates, with perhaps some afternoon shade in very hot districts. Or a warm summer spot or a sheltered pot in cold climates.

Evergreen perennial in mild / frost tender annual in cold climates

Gardeners in tropical and sub-tropical areas without frosts will always have their Red Shiso plants. While we cold frogs in frosty areas have to sow the seeds again next year, as with Basil.
They may self-seed in veggie patches where they are very happy, but they are easy to weed out or give away if they have too many babies.

Rabbit & deer resistant

But those ghastly rabbits and deer don’t particularly like the highly aromatic taste. Thank goodness!

SEED SOWING ADVICE: 

Sow in a punnet indoors at any time, whenever suitable temperatures can be given (19-21°C).
OR
Sow seeds in the garden in spring after frosts have finished and the soil has warmed.

Sow indoors for quick & early plants: First soak the seeds in water, that has been previously boiled and left to cool.
Soak overnight for 12 hours, and sow next day.

Then sow the seeds on the surface good quality seed raising mix.
And pat gently to the surface to ensure seeds have good contact with the seed raising mix.
But do not cover as these seeds need light to germinate.

Now thoroughly moisten the sown punnet by standing it in a shallow water bath, and allowing the moisture to percolate up to the surface of the mix from below.

Red Shiso likes warmth

Then place the sown, moist punnet in a warm, well-lit position (not in any direct sunlight).
And you can use a heat mat if you have one, but a window sill or well lit corner will do just as well,
because these are very easy and reliable seeds to germinate.

Temperatures of 19-21°C. are best for rapid and optimum germination.

Continue to keep the punnet moist by misting from a spray water-bottle.
And cover the punnet with a plastic lid or bag, to help retain the necessary consistent moisture, as these seeds germinate better in a humid environment.

Germination usually begins in approx. 7-21 days.

Prick out as soon as possible, when the seedlings have developed their first set of true leaves
And pot the seedlings on to harden off and mature before finally planting out in the garden.

Seed Count: 100 seeds per pack approx.
(We always aim to exceed the stated seed count, and give a generous serve).

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