Coleus: types and varieties with descriptions and characteristics, which one is better to choose

Decorative coleus flower grows well both at home and in the garden. Gardeners love the plant for its elegant appearance, fast growth, unpretentiousness to growing conditions. No wonder they call it nettle in its own way. More than 150 species of coleus are known. They differ in the variety of colors, the shape of the leaves, the height of the plant, but all belong to the Lamiaceae family.

General description of the flower

In nature, coleus is an Asian inhabitant, but it is also found in the forests of the African continent, on islands with a tropical climate. At home, Blume varieties are more often grown. Under natural conditions, a herbaceous plant is an annual, but it can also be a perennial bush:

1. Always green bush, tall (up to 85 cm).
2. Square glassy stem, woody at the base.
3. Large oval leaves are opposite each other. They are soft, with a velvety surface. Although they call the flower nettle, but unlike it, coleus leaves do not burn. The foliage of the plant is variegated, with a variety of patterns.
4. Unattractive flowers of the plant, similar to an ear or panicle, bloom on top.

Some species, in particular hybrid varieties, remain deciduous. Indoor coleuses are low (from 15 to 35 cm), very beautiful, multi-colored. And in the garden, ampelous flowers have become a decoration of flower beds, flowerpots, flower beds.

What colors come in

The color palette of coleuses is diverse. The color is monophonic, two colors and several at once. There are foliage with hundreds of different openwork patterns, color patterns.

What colors and shades of the rainbow are not on the leaves of the plant. They can be:

• pure white;
• emerald green;
• red;
• burgundy with pale pink streaks;
• light green with blue lace;
• bright yellow.

Due to the richness of colors, coleuses have become favorites in decorating garden plots; proudly show off on the windowsills.

Coleus Varieties

Several hundred species of plants are known to flower growers. Some varieties are suitable for home breeding. Although with the onset of heat they are taken out to the balcony or terrace, where they will also show off and decorate.

Mariposa

Coleus Mariposa is home to a tropical climate. Therefore, the plant is thermophilic, it will not survive frosts.It grows outdoors, provided that night temperatures are not lower than 17 ° C heat. The plant is perennial, but in the climate of the central region it is usually grown as an annual.

The leaves are wide dark purple, pinkish at the edges. Loves sunlight, easily tolerates slight shading. Before planting in a permanent place, seedlings must be protected from direct sunlight, which can burn the leaves of the flower.

Butterfly

Unpretentious perennial up to 50 cm high. Blooms in July, flowering continues until October. Gorgeous foliage in various colors. The shape of the leaves resembles the wings of butterflies. Hence the name of the species Butterfly, which means "butterfly". The beauty of foliage is not flashy, but exciting, tender. The color changes with different lighting conditions.

The plant is light-loving, but afraid of direct sunlight. In summer, it needs abundant watering with soft water at room temperature.

Crimson Ruffles

Hybrid species, large enough. Characterized by rapid growth. After trimming the top bushes magnificently. The plant has magnificent burgundy leaves with a pink border along the serrated edges. Crimson Raffles light-loving. With a lack of lighting, more green stripes appear. Grows both indoors in a pot and outdoors, if temperature permits. Blooms from July to October.

Candidum

Perennial plant. The variety is not large. Leaves are medium in size. In the middle of the leaf is white, along the edges - light green. The flower is discreet, delicate, looks poetic.

The plant is photophilous, although it does not tolerate direct sunlight. Coleus Candidum grows in the open field, if the air temperature is not lower than +18 ° C. The place should be well lit with shading.

Golden Bedder

Perennial species up to 60 cm high. Grown at home and in open ground. The variety has beautiful jagged leaves, plain, yellow. It blooms in mid-summer, but the flowers are inconspicuous, they are pinched. The splendor of a plant is in its foliage.

The place for the growth and development of the bush should be lit, but slightly shaded. Water it abundantly, especially in summer.

Firebird

The literal translation of the name "fire bird". The creator of the variety is Ivan Kruglyak, a Russian breeder from the Crimea. The surface of the leaves is corrugated. Blurred bright red spots on the dark green of the carved foliage. The flower is characterized by very fast growth. The bush is often pinched to make it look more magnificent. Medium sized variety, perennial. Outdoors grown as an annual plant.

Glory of Luxembourg

Lush, always green perennial, no more than 60 cm tall with a woody stem. The diameter of the crown of the bush is up to half a meter. Grown for the serrated double leaves, not the small pale blue tubular flowers. Amazingly beautiful oval foliage is chocolate brown, with green-yellow edges. The plant prefers moist but well-drained soil.

Rose Blush

Half a meter, fairly large perennial bush. Very lush, branched appearance. The leaves are large, corrugated. The predominant color of the foliage is pink, with a bright light green border around the edges. The variety grows both at home in a pot and in the open field.

Sabre

Dwarf variety, does not grow more than 22 cm. Suitable for growing in open ground, creating landscape compositions. Little Saber is like a carpet of live cherry leaves with yellow-green fringing. The variety is unpretentious.

Salmon Lace

Bush lush, medium size. The leaves are large with jagged bright green edges. The middle of the leaf is orange-pink, the color is pinnate. The color of the leaves changes with lighting. In the sun, the coleus is bright and shiny, in the shade the foliage darkens and fades.

The plant does not overwinter in the open field, in autumn it is placed in a pot and transferred to the house.

Buttercup

Perennial lush bush of medium size (up to 50 cm). The leaves are small, with jagged, golden. By the color of the foliage, most likely, the name of the flower occurs, which means "buttercup" in translation. The variety is perfect for decorating the landscape in creating a background or effect of colors and tones.

Which variety to choose

All types of coleus are good in their own way. Delightful, undemanding to growing conditions. To choose a variety, you first need to understand why and where the coleus will grow. Whether it will decorate the garden or just show off on the windowsill and please the eye. For garden design, both undersized varieties and tall ones are suitable. When choosing a variety, you need to trust your taste. Which coleus you like best, these should be grown.

Growing conditions and care requirements for all varieties are the same:

1. In any case, whether the plant will live at home or in the garden, if you decide to have a flower, it is advisable to purchase it in early spring.
2. The plant should look he althy with lots of shoots.
3. Don't buy a coleus that is about to bloom. This means that he was often fed minerals due to exhaustion.

The use of coleus in landscape design

The regular French style of planting coleus in the garden has been used for a long time. Since it was possible to adjust the height of the bushes, to prevent their unattractive flowering; bright colorful foliage - all these are wonderful conditions for creating arabesque or carpet beds. Not a single landscape composition can do without coleus. Red coleuses look very worthy among silver cineraria, snow-white honey-fragrant alyssums. Flower beds from one multi-colored "nettle" on the lawn also look great.

The richness of coleus varieties, a variety of colors allow you to create interesting patterns, embody the most daring ideas of landscape designers. At the same time, the plant is unpretentious, growing rapidly.

Snow-white lilies, cannes with red leaves are combined with bright coleus. Other plants feel great next to them, because with large leaves the "nettle" protects the soil and its neighbors from the scorching sun.

Dangling coleus leaves warn of the need for watering.

Combinations of flowers in flowerpots, in hanging planters also look elegant, without which they cannot do when creating a garden design. Roses look gorgeous against the background of low coleus. Low-growing varieties of flowers make out a border, paths. Multi-colored nettles cover nondescript areas, empty spaces. Luxurious coleus are not only pleasing to the eye, but also uplifting.

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