Shade Loving Coleusalso known as flame nettle or painted nettle, is an excellent choice for part to nearly full shade.This plant, although widely used as an ornamental annual is actually an herb, grown for its colorful foliage. You can grow coleus in a sunny location, but they prefer more subdued light conditions. Plants blend well in a woodland setting together with ferns or hostas as well as impatiens and other shade loving annuals. Leaves, stems and flowers somewhat resemble the growth and texture of common stinging nettles. However, instead of just plain green, coleus leaf colors range from solid pale green through deep maroon with vibrant contrasting variegations and markings in shades of white, yellow, orange and pink. Coleus grows quickly (even from seed) and makes a lush bushy plant up to 18 inches tall. Water often enough to keep the soil moist, especially during hot dry spells. They will let you know when in need of water by drooping or wilted foliage. The secret to maintaining longer life and promote dense growth is to pinch or prune often and cut off flower spikes as they develop. It is easy to increase your coleus collection by taking 3 to 5 inch tip cuttings any time during the growing season. Cuttings will readily put out roots in water or moist seedling mix in about 5 to ten days. If you take cuttings at the end of the season, you can pot them up and keep them growing inside over the winter. This will give you a head start in spring when you can plant them out after danger of frost. |
