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Annuals - Coleus
Coleus is a plant I purchase every summer. Their wonderful variety of leaf color is spotted, lined, dotted, and edged. There are many variations which provide the gardener a phenomenal choice when purchasing Coleus.
They are also referred to as Flame Nettle and the proper name is C. blumei as depicted in the image below. Look at that breathtaking pink, wine, cream and various shades of green that provide a riot of color to any landscaping theme.
Each year I purchase two pots of Coleus and place them on either side of the swimming pool ladder. They are extremely hardy. They possess tiny blue flowers however you do not purchase the plant for the rather insignificant blooms rather the striking foliage.
Coleus thrives in well drained soil. Coleus tolerates sun and partial shade. The height varies depending upon the variety you choose. Coleus attains a height between six inches to two feet. Coleus is available in a wide range of colors including yellow, orange, pink, wine, red, purple and green.
Two years ago I purchased the orange, yellow, cream and wine colored Coleus which created yet another wonderful look for the planters in the back garden.
Another advantage of Coleus is their hardiness to outlast other annuals in the garden. In the image below the Coleus provides a striking color burst in the back garden while most annuals are spent for the summer. Their size is another tremendous attribute for giving your landscaping a leafy, variegated blast of color. The Coleus in the image below is approximately two feet high.
A problem I have encountered occurs during wet summers. The large leaves are prone to insects which create large holes and unfortunately the entire plant begins looking unsightly. My solution is removing the leaves with holes and spraying the plant. This method encourages fresh, new growth with healthy foliage.
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