Look up Perilla and you will probably find your plant. They are an annual and re-seeds like crazy. Do not let it go to seed unless you want in EVERYWHERE! I still have seeds popping up in beds, walkways, and lawn from when I had it growing 4 years ago. I'm not talking about letting it go to seed for 4 years, I'm talking about seeds laying in the ground and growing after 4 years. It is very pretty (although I don't care for the taste) and let some grow at the back of my yard between a retaining wall and the alley where it can cause very little trouble.

By Chinese Silk Squash, could you possibly mean edible Luffa? Some also calls it Sponge Gourd. Is it the kind that turns into a luffa if dried on the plant? If Luffa gourd is what you're referring to, I've been planting them. I sow them in small pots now and transplant in late spring in zone 8. You can direct sow them too. They usually have a slower start during cool spring, so you'll have plenty of time to put up the support. I don't use special fertilization other than what's normal for any veggie (compost at planting and side dressing after a few leaves shown) unless your soil is really off. You'll gonna love home grown Luffa. They're so tender they dislike anything from the stores. Here is a link that might be useful: Edible Luffa?

It is taro stick. You can buy the taro at a oriental store, peel them like potatoes and fry. they costs a lot more than sweet potato or reg. potato. good luck!! Bellie

I think I must have purple perilla. I really don't want it to self sow in my flower bed if it is so invasive. If I plant it in a pot on my porch next to the flower bed, will this still cause it to self seed in the flower bed? I'm not sure how self seeding works. Are there seeds on the plant that will fall or blow into my flower bed or does the self seeding come from the roots? Just wondering if it will be able to get into my beds if placed in a pot right next to the bed.