Description and characteristics of the species and varieties of coleus, which one is better to choose
The decorative flower Coleus grows well both at home and in the garden. Gardeners love the plant for its elegant look, fast growth, and unpretentiousness to growing conditions. No wonder they call it nettles in their 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 they all belong to the Lipo 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, the herb is an annual, but it can also be a perennial bush:
- Always a green bush, tall (up to 85 cm).
- The quadrangular stem is glassy, stiff at the base.
- Large oval leaves are opposite each other. They are soft with a velvety surface. Although the flower is called nettle, unlike it, the leaves of the coleus do not burn. The foliage of the plant is variegated, with diverse patterns.
- Unattractive flowers of the plant, similar to an ear or a panicle, bloom at the crown.
Certain species, in particular hybrid varieties, remain deciduous. Indoor coleus are low (from 15 to 35 cm), very beautiful, multi-colored. And in the garden, ampelous flowers have become an ornament of flower beds, flowerpots, flower beds.
What colors are there
The color palette of Coleus is diverse. The color is monochromatic, two colors and several at once. There are foliage on which there are hundreds of different openwork patterns, color patterns.
What colors and shades of the rainbow are not present on the leaves of the plant. They may be:
- pure white;
- emerald green;
- red;
- burgundy with pale pink veins;
- light green with blue lace;
- bright yellow.
Due to the richness of colors, Coleus have become favorites in decorating garden plots; proudly flaunt on the windowsills.
Varieties of Coleus
Several hundreds of plant species 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
The homeland of Coleus Mariposa has a tropical climate. Therefore, the plant is thermophilic, it will not survive frost. It grows outdoors, provided that night temperatures are not lower than 17 ° C. The plant is perennial, but in the climatic conditions 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, the 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 of 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, gentle. The color changes with different illumination.
The plant is light-loving, but is afraid of direct sunlight. In summer, it needs abundant watering with soft water at room temperature.
Crimson ruffles
Hybrid species, large enough. It is characterized by rapid growth. After trimming the tops, it bushes magnificently. The plant has gorgeous burgundy leaves with a pink border along the jagged edges. Crimson Rafls light-requiring. More green streaks appear in low light conditions. It grows both at home in a pot and in the open field, if the temperature permits. Blooms from July to October.
Candidum
The plant is perennial. Medium-sized variety. Leaves are medium in size. The leaf is white in the middle, light green at the edges. The flower is discreet, gentle, looks poetic.
The plant is light-loving, although it does not tolerate direct sunlight. Coleus Candidum grows in open ground if the air temperature is not lower than +18 ° C. The place should be well lit and shaded.
Golden bedder
Perennial species up to 60 cm high. Grown at home and in the open field. The variety has beautiful jagged leaves, monochromatic, yellow. Blooms in the middle of summer, but the flowers are inconspicuous, they are pinched. The splendor of the plant 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
Literal translation of the name "fiery bird". The creator of the variety is Ivan Kruglyak, a Russian breeder from the Crimea. The surface of the leaves is corrugated. There are blurry bright red spots on the dark greenery of carved foliage. The flower is characterized by very fast growth. The bush is often pinched to make it look fuller. Medium size, perennial. It is grown outdoors 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. Cultivated for serrated double leaves rather than 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-meter, rather 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.
Saber
The variety is dwarf, does not grow more than 22 cm. Suitable for growing in the open field, creating landscape compositions. Small Sabre is like a carpet of living cherry leaves with a yellow-green edging. The variety is unpretentious.
Salmon lace
Lush bush of 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, shiny, in the shade the foliage darkens, fades.
The plant does not overwinter in the open field, in the fall 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, serrated, golden. The color of the foliage most likely gives rise to the name of the flower, which means "buttercup". 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, first of all, you need to understand why and where the Coleus will grow.Will it decorate the garden or just show off on the windowsill and please the eye. For garden design, both low-growing varieties and high ones are suitable. When choosing a variety, you must trust your taste. Which coleus you like more, these should be grown.
Growing conditions and care requirements for all varieties are the same:
- In any case, whether the plant will live at home or in the garden, if it is decided to have a flower, it is advisable to purchase it in early spring.
- The plant should look healthy with lots of shoots.
- You should not buy Coleus that is getting ready to bloom. This means that it was often fed minerals due to depletion.
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 flower beds or carpet. No landscape composition can do without Coleus. Red coleuses look very worthy among silver cineraria, snow-white honey-fragrant alissums. Flower beds made of one multi-colored "nettle" on the lawn also look great.
The richness of varieties of Coleus, 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. Next to them, other plants feel great, because with large leaves "nettles" protect the soil and its neighbors from the burning sun's rays.
Dangling leaves of Coleus warn of the need for watering.
Combinations of flowers in flowerpots, in hanging pots, which are indispensable when creating a garden design, also look elegant. Roses look gorgeous against the background of low coleuses. Low-growing varieties of flowers decorate the border, paths. Nondescript areas, empty spaces are covered with multi-colored nettles. Luxurious coleus not only delight the eye, but also cheer up.
