<p>Every year, I try to find some new plants and see if it will thrive in my area. From the onset, I thought I would only be able to grow cacti and succulents, but as I begin to learn more, get the plant culture right, or just make minor adjustments from season to season, I am getting some good improvements. But I still get blindsided at times..usually when the weather goes cranky pots..just some things beyond our control.</p>
<p>So for this year, I tried getting coleus. I did not know a lot about this plant, and watching the Coleus thread here in ATP gave me the motivation to try it. Luckily I got some nice ones at our local big box store..</p>
<p>Here is the before photo of the first container which I started last 06May2013:</p>
<p><img class="thumb" style="margin: 5px;" src="http://garden.org/pics/2013-07-26/tarev/94f2e3-250.jpg" alt="2013-07-26/tarev/94f2e3" width="250" height="250" border="0" /></p>
<p>I do not have all the names of the coleus in this container, but if you start from the center, that bright green one is Coleus 'Wasabi', then the one on the upper left is Coleus 'Saturn', then the one at the bottom almost all red is called Coleus 'Red Head'.</p>
<p>Here is its After photo taken on 24Jul2013: impressively filling up the container, enduring the heat wave and is just so happy looking in my container. Makes me look like a good gardener hahah! I do notice that since it is really drier and hotter in my area, the plant appreciated getting daily watering, and misting of the leaves, so it endures our triple digit heat. Sometimes I feel worried seeing how the leaves seem crumpling in the heat, but it quickly bounces back and straightens up as soon as the shade from the tree canopy covers it.</p>
<p><img class="thumb" style="margin: 5px;" src="http://garden.org/pics/2013-07-26/tarev/ff9f70-250.jpg" alt="2013-07-26/tarev/ff9f70" width="250" height="250" border="0" /></p>
<p>I made up another coleus container last 23June2013. This time I got them properly labeled. The Before container: I think the photo won't enlarge properly but the names of the Coleus are: Coleus 'Freckles', Coleus 'Fishnet Stockings', Coleus 'Kingswood Torch', Coleus 'Gays Delight':</p>
<p><img class="thumb" style="font-size: 1em; margin: 5px;" src="http://garden.org/pics/2013-07-26/tarev/269a27-250.jpg" alt="2013-07-26/tarev/269a27" width="250" height="250" border="0" /><img class="thumb" style="font-size: 1em; margin: 5px;" src="http://garden.org/pics/2013-07-26/tarev/9a7a82-250.jpg" alt="2013-07-26/tarev/9a7a82" width="250" height="250" border="0" /></p>
<p>And here is its After photo taken on 24July2013: thriving pretty well too, except for Coleus 'Fishnet Stockings' I think this one really prefers to be in shade. It is the only one in the container that is still quite small compared to the rest, but the rest of the coleus in this container are truly heat tolerant and growing vigorously.</p>
<p><img class="thumb" style="margin: 5px;" src="http://garden.org/pics/2013-07-26/tarev/c161d8-250.jpg" alt="2013-07-26/tarev/c161d8" width="250" height="250" border="0" /></p>
<p>I have been pinching the leaves of both containers, and trimming off the flowers. I have read it will prolong the life of the plant. But just in case, here, is a photo of the blooms, pretty much similar looking amongst the other Coleus. This is from Coleus 'Freckles':</p>
<p><img class="thumb" style="margin: 5px;" src="http://garden.org/pics/2013-07-26/tarev/1f2ba5-250.jpg" alt="2013-07-26/tarev/1f2ba5" width="250" height="250" border="0" /></p>
<p>So what remains to be seen now is how the plant will grow during the cooler months. I have no idea if it will behave like a perennial in my area or like an annual. So will keep a close eye and if it starts growing like an annual, I have to get some good cuttings to root later on. For sure, I will grow Coleus again next year!</p>
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