Rainbow Mix Coleus
Coleus blumei
Striking foliage for beds and containers.
Among foliage enthusiasts, Coleus, in particular, is a favorite. Since the Victorian era, landscape designers have prized Coleus for its creative potential in the garden, sometimes using the high-contrast leaves to create ornate “carpet bedding” displays. The Victorians loved these designs made from flowers, low-growing foliage plants, and topiary–and used them to create crowd-pleasing horticultural spectacles. Although carpet bedding eventually fell out of fashion, Coleus retained its star power due to its beauty, versatility, and charm. Grow its stunning foliage to brighten shady corners and add contrast to flower beds.
This mix is a true rainbow of colors, including: pinks, burgundy, yellow, bronze, purple, white, lime and dark greens. An incredibly versatile plant that tolerates a range of sun/shade and soil conditions, Coleus grows just as happily in the ground or in containers, and can even be brought indoors for a lovely houseplant. Can be pinched back to encourage a shorter, bushier habit.
from $3.99
| Unit | Price | Quantity | Availability |
|---|---|---|---|
| Art Pack (200 seeds) | $4.79 | In Stock | |
| 200 Seeds | $3.99 | In Stock | |
| 600 Seeds | $6.99 | In Stock | |
| 1800 Seeds | $11.49 | Out of Stock |
Price as selected:
Start indoors 6-8 weeks before last frost, sowing the seeds on the surface of the soil as light aids in germination. Mist or bottom water until germination, and provide warmth. Harden off and transplant outdoors after the danger of frost has passed. After transplant, the growing plants can be pinched back to encourage a shorter, bushier habit. Enjoy the colorful foliage outdoors or in bouquets. Plants can be grown as annuals or overwintered indoors.
| Days to Germination | 10-14 |
|---|---|
| Days to Maturity | 75 |
| Planting Depth | Barely Cover |
| Spacing in Row | 12" |
| Spacing Between Rows | 18" |
| Height at Maturity | 36" |
| Width at Maturity | 18" |
| Sun Preference | Part Sun to Full Shade |
Printmaker Jennifer Zee uses the infinite nature of tessellation to celebrate the continuous growth of plants like Coleus. This design is printed from six block and five inks, using a repeating pattern evocative of formal "carpet" gardens.