HELLO gardeners! I have a mystery. . (big pics)

[annabanana]

Did I plant this lovely thing with dark purple foliage and tiny light purple flowers on stalks. .which bumblebees seem to like??

Or is it a happy weedy accident?

[Denninmi]

1. Well, it's Shiso (Perilla frutescens) aka Japanese Basil.

Did you plant seeds of this plant? Or buy one and just forgot?

More likely, though, it came up as a weed on its own. This herb is becoming fairly widely naturalized in most of the US east of the Rockies, and probably in the west in wetter regions as well.

It's in the mint family, and has a nice, mild flavor that goes well with other Asian flavors -- ginger, sesame oil, soy. I've made awesome chicken breasts before by marinating them in Ken's Steakhouse brand Asian salad dressing with about a half a cup of chopped shiso leaves, a couple of slices of ginger, and a few dashes of sesame oil, then cooking on a medium grill.

[annabanana]

2. Well how about that!

I hope it re-seeds itself there.. I may just chew on bits of this one!

Thank you so much!

[bvar22]

3. Hi. Looks like Purple Basil.

It is very hearty, and grows well here (West/Central Arkansas)
We use it in the Veggie Garden, but also as an ornamental as in the photo.
It is very late blooming, so it is good for the Bees and Butterflies.
Our Honey Bees prefer the standard Basil, but some do feed on the Purple.
We haven't tried cooking with it...yet.

This plant has grown into Big Bush size, and has overwhelmed some of the other things we have planted in the front ornamental garden, but we really don't care because it is so pretty, and the color is striking.
It was a much deeper purple during Mid-Summer, giving over to green highlights when it started to flower.
It WILL reseed.
It has started popping up all over the place this year.