Plus garden to do's for June & July
By L.A. Jackson"Plants are green."
How's that for a safe statement? Houseplants, trees, shrubs, annuals, weeds — they are all green! Of course, there are exceptions, and one of the most colorful is the sun coleus. Scarlet, yellow, red, bronze, pink, copper, orange, salmon, purple — these and more are the simmering hues of the many coleus varieties that enjoy basking in the Carolina sun.
Normally reaching 18 to 36 inches tall, sun coleus selections show off a diverse parade of dazzling foliage color combinations flaunting continuous, sassy shows in the garden through the growing season until autumn.
This coleus loves the sun, but it is not a cactus and will wilt during hot, dry periods in the summer. However, planting in a well-mulched, fertile spot shaded from late afternoon sun will help cut down on the flop factor.
As sun coleus plants mature, many will begin to develop flower spikes. In comparison to their snazzy leaf colors, these small blossoms (normally lavender-blue) are negligible and can even detract from the main show. Pinching them off is a matter of personal taste, but removing the blooms also allows the plants to devote more energy towards additional foliage production.
This fall, you can bet the farm that these tender plants will be nailed by the first frosts. But why give up on them when it gets cold? Coleus can be easily propagated by taking 4 to 6-inch cuttings, removing the lower leaves and placing the sprigs in water. Roots will usually appear within two weeks, and in another week or two, the cuttings can be transferred to pots of growing medium. Placed in a bright window or under grow lights, they can then overwinter indoors until next year's planting season.
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