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Joani's Corner: Coleus Adds Color to Your Garden

by: Joani MacCubbin

Coleus
Photo Credit: Joani MacCubbin

Updated: 8/31/2018 11:51:51 AM

 

I'm sure you all know what a coleus is but if you don't it's a very colorful plant and it's leaves, which are the colorful part, show's itself in a wide and exciting range of colors.  The coleus is considered to be a tough, durable annual plant and will add a bit of excitement to anyone's garden.
   
It's history goes back many years.....actually over the past few centuries.  It is a member of the mint family and it's leaves come in many colors, textures and even their shapes.  New coleus breeding focuses on new color combinations and different foliage characteristics .....like being more compact and even trailing forms which would be very nice for hanging baskets.  

Study is still being done to delay its flowering.  Coleus leaves are nice, that's for sure, but its flower seems to take away the look of the plant itself.  Like we mentioned earlier you should just snip them off.....but you don't have to.....but it will encourage more energy into the stem and foliage growth and not into more flowering.  Also if you let your Coleus flower it may lose its vigor as the plant will then put all it's vigor into seed production.  I guess the coleus wants to get along with us humans.

The leaves of a coleus can be green, pink, yellow, orange, red, shades of maroon, brown, cream and even white.   I have not seen a white one but I will still be on the lookout for one.

Patterns in the leaves can be solid, splashes, blotches, streaks, flecks, margins and veins.  Color intensity could be affected by sunlight.  Many years ago it was not suggested that they be put in the sun at all.  But now it's all different.  And even in Florida they will do just fine in full sun.  There are coleus that are called 'sun coleus'.....Darker colors seem to do better in direct sunlight.....lighter colored coleus might do little better in morning sun and a little afternoon shade.

There is a type of coleus that is called 'sun coleus'.....which is a selection that can stand more direct sunlight.  Too little light will encourage a weak stem,  it's full possible coloring and less vigorous plants. 

For us lucky to be living here in Florida....there are a few varieties that would be good for full sun areas.....One variety is called Stained Glassworks .....others are Wizard, Versa or Marquee series.  Any variety with the word sun in it's name will be a good one for us Floridians!!

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Past Articles

  • Tea is One of the Early Blooming Local Camellias

  • Cool Season Fun With Amaryllis

 

  • Time for a Cold Protection Strategy

  • Joani's Corner: Squirrels

 

  • Northern Landscapes Fill with Fall Color

  • Time Keepers in Your Landscape

 

  • St. Augustine Lawn Care Time

  • Joani's Corner: Fall Has Arrived

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