"Perilla atropurpurea lanciniata. A half hardy annual, with 
dark purple foliage, resembling Col ens. 2 feet. 10 cents per 
packet. Farquhar. ' ' 
Views of the Thus Farquhar describes a charming little annual for the 
Purples of picking garden, which I have never seen in any but my own. Its 
Perilla flower, of course, amounts to almost nothing, and it is grown 
entirely for its sprays of rich, dusky purple foliage, and hand- 
some, deeply cut and wrinkled leaf. It is one of those pleasant 
little plants which comes up quickly and obligingly from seed, 
also seeds itself if one wishes, sprouts generously again from 
every leaf axil after being cut, thus supplying a constant growth 
of young sprays, and finally will grow anywhere, in any corner, 
either sunshine or shade. It will survive in poor, sandy soil, but 
of course, responds quickly to a friendly loam, with an occasional 
pinch of fertilizer from the apron pocket, worked in carefully 
around the roots, and afterwards watered down. 
The vegetable garden seems the legitimate place for a picking 
plant, yet it makes a good foil in the real flower garden for blos- 
soms^ — those that need the dark background; and is especially 
restful and satisfying behind the gray and white-leaved plants. 
I often plant Perilla late in July when other things have 
passed, and keep it watered and well shaded, when it continues 
to grow and fill its quiet little place until the heavy frosts. 
It is listed as reaching two feet, but I never allow mine to 
do so. I pick it back constantly for my vases, and also because I 
cannot allow it much space in the garden. 
Arranged as foliage with certain flowers, Perilla makes a 
beautiful color against a pale-gray wall, as is mine. The hangings 
in the room are deep green velvet, — a cool and restful background 
for summer vases. I like my flowers to give color and atmos- 
phere, and do not much indulge in colored cushions, pictures 
and the like. The summer atmosphere of my living room is 
almost like my out door garden. In fact the latter is planned 
as a complement to the former. 
"White flowers, of course, blend most beautifully with the rich, 
•garnet-purple Perilla. Besides Gladiola, Lilies and Sweet Peas, 
I use later in the season the free and generous Chrysanthemum 
inodorum, which gives great branches of feathery leafage and 
white, round bloom, and is very satisfying. 
Never use Perilla with Roses, white or any other shade. There 
is something almost distressing in this thought to the sensitive 
gardener. Gypsophila paniculata is nearly the only thing I am 
willing to combine with the Queen of flowers. Use it with some 
clear pinks and light buffs, with the garnets and rubies of 
Empress of India Gladiolus, and the violets of Baron Hulot, and 
with all shades of the Mourning Brides. This flower groups with 
Perilla quite charmingly. E. H. P. K. 
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