In Praise of Coleus As A Bedding Plant - October 2024

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This Summer, I planted three small Inferno Coleus plants in the (then brand new) Island Bed in our front yard as bedding plants.  These were (for me) the first Coleus that I'd planted directly in the ground versus using them in containers.   My journey to that moment started in Spring when I was watching a garden tour on YouTube from Justin at S&K Greenhouse.  Over the years, Justin (who's channel is great and you should subscribe) has visited the garden of Bruce Duncan.  Justin and Bruce have a history together (I think Bruce spent some time at the Nursery/Greenhouse), but they also have great on-screen chemistry.  Bruce also has a spectacular garden.   In that video, Bruce shows off a few different coleus that he has planted in colonies.  I went and learned a little bit about veined vs edged-leaf coleus and which one can tolerate full sun vs which ones prefer shade.

I also included planting coleus as a bedding plant (among other annuals) in my annual to-do list.  

The three Inferno Coleus that I planted have done NOTHING BUT THRIVE out front.  I watered them - when I could - and they just grew and grew.  The last time that I posted about them was in late August when they had weathered the hot-hot heat of August and were standing proud.  

Today - you can see them below.  They've flowered and are still standing tall and proud.  Not too tall (and leggy), but just about right (to me). 

Inferno Coleus as Beding Plant with dwarf Ginkgo Tree

Over the years, I've grown to admire certain plants and have posted about them.  The Autumn Fern is one of them.  Really love that fern.  Karl Foerster Feather Reed Grasses is another one.  Love that grass.   This past Spring, I called out Drumstick Allium as worthy of praise.  Neat little garden accents.

I'm going to add coleus-as-beding-plant to that list.  This year, I resisted the urge to buy Coleus at the big box stores and went to The Growing Place and Wannemaker's to find some less-common varieties (like Inferno).  That's key to this - finding the right variety for the right spot. 

Next year - #2025 to-do - I'll repeat coleus in the ground.  I'm thinking this Island Bed as well as some IB2DWs and in the back - around the patio.  

Location: Downers Grove, IL, USA

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