A solo planting of coleus can perform like fireworks
Brighten up your landscape this season with colorful containers. Making up pots is fun for the green-thumbers who seem to have the knack and time to pull together great combinations. But there are plenty of busy folks who find it tedious to deal with flowers because of their picky requirements. If this is the case for you, we have one plant we enthusiastically recommend….COLEUS.
What’s to Love about Coleus
Coleus plants are annuals and are fast-growing and full of color from spring planting to fall frost. Instead of blooming flowers that might not last a full season outdoors, coleus has brightly colored foliage. They are deer resistant, heat tolerant, grow in full sun to medium shade and the colors and patterns are truly amazing. You can’t go wrong with a plant that produces colors from bright greens to shocking magentas and corals. Their leaves are all different and range in shape from simple ovals to frilled edges.
Growing Tips
Pinch stem tips if you want to control height and legginess and increase bushiness. Cut off the flower shoot to prevent the plant from going to seed. With the correct light conditions for the cultivar and having well drained soil and watering when dry and average, these plants will thrive. Feed monthly during the growing season with a liquid fertilizer but diluted to half strength.
Three Sizes for Every Use
Trailing coleus typically grow 12 to 18 inches tall. They are perfect for the edge of containers or the front edge of borders.
Midsize coleus can grow 18 to 25 inches in height and become bushy, dense and wide spreading. They can really fill in a container with their tight mounds of foliage.
Tall coleus have an upright look and can grow more than 25 inches in height. Some have wide leaves that are quite dramatic.
Of course you can select from the three categories to balance any mixed container design. Or you can plant containers with nothing but coleus, knowing their contrasting textures and colors will reward you with a season of excitement.
Whitehouse Landscaping is always happy to help you improve the look of your yard. Our landscaping philosophy insures the right plants are chosen for the right place. Contact us today and let our horticultural knowledge and design expertise help add value and beauty to your property.