Modern coleus selections add color despite the heat
One of the things I enjoy about gardening is discovering plants that prove flowers are not the only way to fill a landscape with color.
Whenever someone tells me they need more color in their summer garden, I remind them not to overlook foliage. Some of my favorite summer plants never rely on blooms to make an impression.
Modern coleus varieties are among the best examples of plants that put on a spectacular show with foliage that remains colorful through the hottest days of the season.
I recently had the opportunity to admire three outstanding selections in the trial garden at the Mississippi State University Truck Crops Branch Experiment Station in Crystal Springs. These coleus varieties had beautiful leaves every bit as impressive as colorful flowers.
The first plant that caught my eye was ColorBlaze Pepper Flakes Coleus.
I noticed that every leaf looked like it had been dusted with colorful garden confetti. The broad foliage is splashed with rich burgundy, deep crimson, olive green and flashes of creamy chartreuse scattered randomly across the leaf surface. With no two leaves exactly alike, the plant has a hand-painted appearance.
The gently serrated edges frame the colorful pattern beautifully, while the slightly textured surface adds even more visual interest. As the plant grows, the layers of colorful foliage create a living mosaic that becomes more striking every week.
Another variety that demanded my attention was ChargedUp Prismatic Coleus.
Its large, elongated leaves are saturated with velvety shades of royal purple and deep plum accented by magenta before blending into bright, emerald-green margins. Bold veins running through each leaf look like brushstrokes on a carefully painted work of art.
The strong, upright habit of this coleus gives it a bold architectural presence. Whether planted in a container or tucked into a flower bed, it naturally becomes one of the first plants people notice.
My third favorite was ChargedUp Keylime Fringe Coleus.
Instead of rich, dramatic colors, this variety has glowing lime-green foliage that seems to capture sunlight. As the leaves mature, subtle shades of chartreuse and yellow-green develop across the surface, adding depth without overwhelming.
Each leaf has finely fringed, deeply serrated edges that create an airy, feathery texture unlike any other coleus I’ve grown. Even a gentle breeze brings this plant to life as the fringed edges flutter, adding another dimension to the garden.
What I appreciate most about these coleus selections is that each contributes something different to the landscape.
ColorBlaze Pepper Flakes offers an explosion of rich, painterly color. ChargedUp Prismatic delivers bold jewel tones and dramatic contrast. ChargedUp Keylime Fringe softens the garden with brilliant chartreuse foliage and exceptional texture.
These coleus provide lasting beauty through our long Southern summers. Every time I walk past them, they remind me that sometimes the most memorable plants in the garden never have to bloom at all.
Legal Disclaimer:
EIN Presswire provides this news content "as is" without warranty of any kind. We do not accept any responsibility or liability for the accuracy, content, images, videos, licenses, completeness, legality, or reliability of the information contained in this article. If you have any complaints or copyright issues related to this article, kindly contact the author above.
