Perilla or shiso is a flavorful and decorative herb with square stems declaring its mint family membership. Its aromatic profile has been described as melding coriander, basil, cinnamon, anise, and citrus. Native to Southeast Asia, it thrives in the heat and humidity of high summer, offering lush green or violet-purple leaves that elevate wraps, stir-fries, and cooked or pickled dishes. Victorian gardeners paired curled leaf varieties with coleus in their lavish ornamental gardens; today, it mixes well with other summer annuals in informal cottage gardens. Harvest leaves before flowering starts and deadhead to avoid excessive self-sowing. It can be invasive in southeastern states.