I've never grown coleus, I suppose because it is not hardy for me. Might give it a try as an annual, although they tend to look a bit ratty at the nurseries - perhaps from slug damage?

Deb, the wonderful thing about coleus is that once planted the ratty look at the nursery doesn't take long to disappear and you get a beautiful, colorful plant. I grow them as annuals but also take cuttings in fall and they make great houseplants. I grew them inside for years before I knew they could go in the garden. Now I wouldn't know how to plan my summer containers and garden without them!

I use them as beautiful "indicator" plants among my hostas. If they look droopy, I know it is time to water!

pirl said:I use them extensively in my sunny gardens!

Arlene your garden is spectacular! Thanks for sharing it with us.

Thank you! Some got larger than the 2' dahlias around them.

Marilyn, that might be a good topic for discussion in pests/diseases section:
http://garden.org/forums/view/...

I'd be curious to hear what others have to say too since I'm unaware of any flies that chew on plants and/but I like to know what's going on even if I don't interfere. It looks like caterpillar damage to me, they're very good at hiding/camouflage, but if it's something else, I'd also love to know.

That kind of damage doesn't bother me at all, but if I only had one or a few plants, that I often looked at more closely than standing next to the bed they're in in the ground, I might look for the critters responsible and be more proactive about creatively relocating them. In any case, best luck!