Garden Win: Inferno Coleus In Backyard - October 2025

This year, I planted three small Inferno Coleus annuals in the newly (this year) expanded bed at the corner of our back patio.  This was the second year of growing this red foliage plant as a bedding annual.  Last year, I put them in the front yard island bed.  By August, I was declaring them a big success as they grew into big mounds of bright color that contrasted with everything green back there.  #6 on my 2026 to-do list was to grow 'more coleus as bedding plants', so this was in service of that goal.  Last Fall, I wrote this "In Praise of Coleus As A Bedding Plant" post and this year, I've become even more of a fan.  

Below is a look at the current state of this coleus.  I let it flower and 'go to seed' late in the season after pinching off the blooms for months earlier this Summer.  The color is striking:

For Fall 2025 and the 2026 season, I'd like to remember to do a few things:

1.  Expand this bed this Fall using the 'lazy bed extension' method.  Scalp the lawn, lay down cardboard and, apply biosolids and compost and cover with a mulch layer (likely of leaves). 

2.  Next year, buy 3 or more sets of these coleus.  And, use them in a few spots around the backyard.  In service of 'repetition'.