Sunday, July 10, 2011

The Colossal Coleus

Do you remember what the word coleus used to conjure up in past years?  Well, I do, these rust, burgundy, green combinations of leaves that you planted in the shade.  I think I put them in one year and then decided that this was not my type of plant.


Indian Summer

Wow, have things changed!  Coleus is a temptress, a mood changer, and a vibrant plant in the garden.  How often do we get a plant that can grow in sun or shade?  I  am having trouble keeping up with the varieties and apologize ahead of time if I miss one or two.


Redhead


Pineapple Splash


This variety had sufferred frost damage and very slowly is coming back, but I don't think it is going to reach full potential - tag thrown out with the other one that died.


Electric Lime

I couldn't contain myself sampling some new varieties this year and even convinced my daughter-in-law to try one that I couldn't fit in.  It was called Trusty Rusty.

I have only had a problem with one that I have grown in the past Sedona.  It is usually a very prolific coleus for the sun but this year I think it got a bug, stunted eaten leaves.  I sprayed it, fed it a systemic and I think it is on its way back but late to be a beauty.

Dipt N' Wine in my back concrete planters

Inky Fingers that I have grown for years can spread six to eight feet!

20 comments:

  1. Very pretty!
    Coleus is a plant I haven't grown recently, but I'm really liking your 'Inky Fingers'. They sure have come a long way since I planted them!

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  2. Your selections surely demonstrate the variety that the hybridizers have worked so hard to attain. Coleus can be a tough one because it really doesn't like the humidity of the greenhouse. I lost so many flats of it, just melted away. Yours are gorgeous.

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  3. I agree with you that there are so many great colors of coleus anymore that they have became a new plant almost. I love the dark colors and the mixes like your Inky Fingers. The texture is so beautiful.

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  4. Hi Eileen, I didn't plant any coleus this summer and I after seeing your post I wish that I had. You are right coleus has come along way. I had no idea that they could grow to 6 or 8 ft. That's big!

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  5. Hi Netty,

    Inkly Fingers is a crawler spreading to be quite large.

    Eileen

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  6. Sissy,

    I think some of the varieties are more delicate and do not hold up to certain weather conditions. I try to stay away from the sword like foliage but Pineapple Splash seems to be quite hardy.

    Eileen

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  7. Hi Lona,

    Inky Fingers is slow to start this year but we have had some strange weather.

    Eileen

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  8. Hi Jennifer,

    Inky Fingers is a spreader in both directions from the middle. Mine is very slow this year but we will see.

    Eileen

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  9. Hi Eileen,
    It is amazing how many different varieties of gorgeous coleus they now have. I love Sedona. I looked for two years before I found one in my town. It goes nicely with the darker foliage that I love.

    That inky fingers sure is a good spreader. I think I had that one year, but mine probably did not spread as much as yours. The tiny feathery one I planted this year did nothing. In fact it died out in most of the containers. I was hoping for a big plant. I will have to try a different one next year.

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  10. Zoey,

    I love Sedona but mine looks terrible this year. After getting some medicine it looks better but still small.

    Eileen

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  11. Beautiful coleus! So colorful. I love Pineapple splash and Indian Summer.
    Beth

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  12. Adore coleus ... wow, what a fine collection!

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  13. Wowowowow, you may have just changed my mind set about coleus.

    Thanks a zillion,

    Sharon Lovejoy Writes from Sunflower House and a Little Green Island

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  14. I love coleus...now. Used to be so few to choose from. Now they are gorgeous and add a big splash of color in the garden. Thanks for showing some of the varieties.
    Balisha

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  15. Thanks Beth,

    I actually think those two are my favorites also, so showy.

    Eileen

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  16. Thanks Joey,

    I try to sample some new ones each year, some a disappointment and some a surprise.

    Eileen

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  17. Thanks Sharon,

    I wasn't too crazy about coleus for years but lately they are such great performers.

    Eileen

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  18. Balisha,

    I am amazed at the colors and their ability to withstand the sun.

    Eileen

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  19. Wow!! Seems as though these plants would make great ground cover, yes?

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