outdoors
plant
ings
Coleuses
a r e o u t t o c o n q u e r
t h e w o r ld .
.. or so it seems, considering
the groundswell of new varieties and their
growing fan base. Once limited to sun-averse
varieties, this genus of tropical plants now
offers hybrids that flourish in both sun and
shade. Talk about broadening your horizons.
Who would have thought an annual with such
little flower power could be so colorful? Green,
orange, and red are just a few of the vibrant leaf
hues on the coleus color wheel. Choose among
varieties in one dominant shade, such as purple
‘Merlot’ and bronze ColorBlaze ‘Sedona’. There are
multicolor types, too—for example, ‘Kiwi Fern’ and
‘Inky Fingers’ display contrasting edges; Electric
Lime and ‘Gays Delight’ have boldly colored veins;
and ‘Mint Mocha’ sports splotches. Leaves can be big
or small, smooth or ruffled, and delicately serrated or
deeply lobed. Some varieties, such as the 3- to
4-foot-tall Big Red Judy, belong in the back of a
border; trailing types such as ‘Chocolate Drop’ are
suited to hanging baskets.
Carry over your favorites from year to year, and add
a few new varieties each spring, too. Before long,
coleuses may just take over your world.
ANNUAL, PERENNIAL
t
(ZONE 10-11),
\
OR HOUSEPLANT
\
PLANT IN SPRING
OR SUMMER
WATER
4 4 4 4
HEIGHT
1
' -
4
'
SUN OR SHADE,
DEPENDING ON VARIETY
* *
0
O
9 8 JULY
2010
BETTER HOMES AND GARDENS
