Bushbernie's Garden
Coleus
Genus: Solenostemon.
Species: Solenostemon scutellarioides.
Coleus is a warm climate plant and in tropical or semi-tropical areas it is often mass planted in garden borders. It is a perennial herbaceous plant, but is often grown as an annual.
It requires regular pinching out of the growth tips to keep it compact, as it is inclined to become “leggy”.
Plants are generally around 80cm to 1m tall, and multi-branched.
There are many different varieties of coleus, each with its own pattern of colours and variegation. Some are symmetrical, while others are more random.
The velvety texture of the leaves gives them a depth and glow that is quite stunning.
Different varieties have patterns in shades of lime green, fluoro pink, crimson, burnt orange, brown, purple and yellow.
Coleus flowers are not the main attraction, and often the stems are removed before flowers open so they don’t detract from the foliage display. The flower spikes grow above the leaves and carry large numbers of small, usually blue flowers.
Coleus can be propagated by taking tip cuttings during spring and summer.
