perilla frutescens

Deep Purple

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The rock band Deep Purple was formed in the late 1960’s and named after an old, popular English song.  The first line of that song goes, ‘When deep purple falls over sleepy garden walls…”  The rest is a wistful remembrance of lovers coming together as day fades to night. I think of “Deep Purple” because … Read more

Perilla Camouflage

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I used to think there was no earthly use for perilla (Perilla frutescens).  No garden since the beginning of time has ever had just one plant.  True to its mint family heritage, perilla spreads and spreads and spreads. Of course, it is quite decorative, with its purple-black ruffled leaves, but some of the similarly colored … Read more