Perilla 'Magilla Vanilla'

I used to be partial to the purple-leaf strain, but after growing it once in pots I found it turned into a persistent annual weed. After ...Read Moremore than a decade, I'm still weeding it out of the beds. It's very aggressive and outcompetes many perennials.

A pretty plant, but there are far too many other pretty plants that are less work. I'll never plant this again deliberately in any garden.

Coleus makes an excellent substitute, unless you want to eat it.

This species is highly toxic to many animals, including horses, cattle, goats, rats, mice, and hamsters. It is responsible for fatal livestock poisonings when it invades pasturage.

This plant's invasive behavior has alarmed many organizations concerned with preserving natural areas, including the US National Park Service and the US Forest Service. It has been reported as invasive of natural habitat in 8 states.

http://www.nps.gov/plants/alien/pubs/midatlantic/pefr.htm
http://www.na.fs.fed.us/fhp/invasive_plants/weeds/beefsteak-...

The breeder has dropped the plant from production as of May 2008. Future is unknown?

Reading up on this plant I will have to say it is more Tropicals/Tender Perennials
At least in the warmer zones . Zones 8 and u...Read Morep can take cuttings or bring plant into GH or homes for winter.
Also I feel it grows well in Full Sun / Sun Partial Shade.
It is also in the same family as the Coleus family and grows and roots just like Coleus.
I am Blessed to have mine given to me by Steve. Thanks Steve ! It also had a slight sweet scent to it .
We have the same Coleuos plants growing now threw five years in the ground hope this does as well. !

I've been growing Vanillas for a couple of years. They seem to do better in sunshine. They are extremely easy to propagate - put a broken...Read More branch in soil, and before long you have a new plant. Keep them short, until they fill out; otherwise, they develop brown spots on the creamy parts of the leaves.