Coleus can stand
alone in the shade garden but are spectacular added to the Hostas or Ferns in
the shade garden. Coleus come in so many
colors and shapes that they can be placed from the back to the front of your
shade garden and make a statement or blend nicely with the perennials you
already have planted.
Coleus are fairly
easy to start indoors from seed or plants are readily available just about
anywhere nursery plants are sold. Coleus
will be the first plant to succumb to fall frost but if you move them indoors
prior to that frost they make colorful houseplants over the winter.
Cornell University has great information for choosing the right coleus variety and growing them in your home garden.
There are new varieties that grow well in the sun as shown in this video.
Let's get growin' coleus!