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Interestingly, Coleus delivers an incredible punch but does so without flowers. Coleus grows in an amazing array of brilliant colours ranging from green, yellow, orange, brown, pink and red. Often three or four colours will appear on the same leaf, and will display themselves in intricate patterns, where no two are ever alike. Leaves are tidy, nicely shaped and grow on well behaved plants. The actual flowers of Coleus are pinkish or white, and are definitely not showy. The plant produces so few flowers that they are hardly noticeable. If a few flowers appear, I would recommend removing them to promote healthier growth and bushiness. Coleus grows to become a tidy bush, about 18 inches tall. For a major colourful impact, plant them in groupings of 10 or more. Coleus is an ideal annual plant for containers, especially the new dwarf varieties. Given Coleus’ unique qualities, it is understandable that gardeners will be tempted to plant them everywhere. Yet, they should be reserved for shady spots. Their favorite location is dappled shade, where a bit of sun peeks through the trees. In deep shade Coleus will perform just fine, but their colour will be less intense. For those who insist on planting Coleus in full sun, be sure to give them a constant supply of adequate moisture. I have Coleus growing in containers on our backyard patio in full sun, but the plants get water every night without fail. Coleus gives a faithful supply of colour all summer long. Like Impatiens, they are very frost-tender and will turn black with any hint of frost. Cover them overnight with old blankets or newspapers if frost is predicted. If you are ambitious, take cuttings in summer and root them indoors. They produce roots with little effort. As soon as healthy roots appear, plant them in growing medium and grow new Coleus indoors on a windowsill. When spring comes around, plant them outdoors for instant colour. The organizers of the Sarnia Garden Tip Toe 2005 have tickets printed and are prepared for a great event. Ten Sarnia backyards will be open for viewing on Sunday, July 10, from 1 to 5 pm. Garden tours are an opportunity for hosts to show off their handiwork and are an ideal venue for visitors to get unique ideas for their own gardens. Tickets are 10.00 each with all proceeds forwarded to Habitat for Humanity, Sarnia/Lambton, and The Inn of the Good Shepherd. Tickets are available at Jenny’s Floral Studio at Cathcart and Colborne, Gardiner’s Garden Centre at Mitton and Davis, and at Degroot's Nurseries on London Line. |
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