by Cindy Jungman, SDSU Extension Master Gardener

Coleus plants can range so much in size, color, leaf shape, and upright vs. trailing habit. I love to combine all the textures, colors, and growth habits in my coleus containers. Coleus plants can make a shady spot pop with color! Coleus container groupings provide a lush view.

RECIPE:
This photo consists of four containers, each with 3-5 coleus plants. Some of my coleus plants originated 10-15 years ago, so I do not have all their names. Among my favorite named varieties are:
• Pineapple Splash
• Riverwalk
• Burgundy Wedding Train
• Wildfire Blaze
• Sedona
• Limon Blush
• Spiced Curry
• Terra Nova Marrakesh
• Chocolate Drop
• Flamethrower Chipotle
• Sea Red Urchin

TIPS:
• Read your plant labels! It is important to know if your coleus plant needs shade or can handle sun.
• Coleus plants like warm weather and new plants really struggle in cool, wet conditions. Take your time setting out your coleus containers.
• Coleus plants labeled “Sun” can handle several hours of full sun, but rarely can a coleus plant tolerate full sun all day. The containers in this photo are on the west side of my house, but on the north side of a fence, so they get only a little late afternoon sun.
• I elevated the back container to give height to the grouping.
• Click here to go to a PDF version of this post. https://sdsu.box.com/s/5r1bkg0ewqumi1a76tp2ip06cj2hhuvc

The bright colors of this container provide lots of curb appeal! Look closely at the beautiful bi-color petunia, and you will see that each blossom has five red hearts! The deep red plants are supercals, a cross between a petunia and a calibrachoa. They are exceptionally vigorous bloomers! Duranta “Gold Edge,” the thriller plant in the back of the container looms above the profusion of blooms.

RECIPE:
• (1) Petunia “Amore Queen of Hearts”
• (2) Supercal “Premium Bordeaux”
• (2) Calibrachoa “Deep Yellow”
• (1) Duranta “Gold Edge”

TIPS:
• This container thrives in full sun.
• All the plants in this container except the duranta benefit from an occasional trimming to keep their nice shape and encourage continuous blooms.
• Click here to go to a PDF version of this post. https://sdsu.box.com/s/peyx18y7fy5neguwu6g89dc871rbyvcy

This beautiful container really stands out in a shady area! The ceramic ball coordinates so well with the foliage.

RECIPE:
• (1) Begonia “Dragon Wing Pink”
• (2) Plectranthus “Troy’s Gold”

TIPS:
• This container requires filtered light or full shade.
• The Dragon Wing Begonia is susceptible to wind, so it is best placed in a sheltered area.
• I pinch back the leaves of the Plectranthus plant when it is first planted to encourage fullness.
• Click here to go to a PDF version of this post. https://sdsu.box.com/s/tj5uhopv9dgd1ktpw5h20ywa1kwm5xcc

This sunny container looks so bright and cheery against the fence. The Mandevilla vine provides vertical appeal to the arrangement.

RECIPE:
• (1) Mandevilla vine “Sun Parasol Giant Pink”
• (1) Angelonia “Angelface Perfectly Pink”
• (1) Calibrachoa “Superbells Holy Cow”
• (1) Lantana “Luscious Bananarama”
• (1) Vinca “Cora Strawberry”
• (1) Petunia “Potunia Plus Pinkalicious”

TIPS:
• Mandevilla vines are vigorous easy-to-grow plants. The vines easily climb 10 feet or more if provided trellising.
• Trim the petunia and calibrachoa plants occasionally to keep them full and fresh.
• Remove spent flowers from the lantana plant to encourage continuous blooms.
• Click here to go to a PDF version of this post. https://sdsu.box.com/s/rtjathkit2jfdvufnqls02308kwtusuo

I love to use Silver Falls Dichondra as a spiller plant in mixed containers, but it is also attractive by itself in a hanging container. This plant is perfectly named as its small silvery leaves cascade like a water fall!

RECIPE:
• (4) Dichondra “Silver Falls.”

TIPS:
• I grow Dichondra from seed in large 4-paks. These plants are also easy to find at greenhouses. If purchasing in a 3” to 4” container, only 1-2 plants are needed.
• This container needs a lot of water as the plants mature.
• Click here to go to a PDF version of this post. https://sdsu.box.com/s/rgpm00dtu90897k3jyldetjgabwoq38m