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

by Cindy Jungman, SDSU Extension Master Gardener

Simple yet striking with its abundance of color, this galvanized washtub is the perfect container to grace the old farm pump.

RECIPE:
(16) Zinnias “Profusion,” four each cherry, white, yellow, and fire

TIPS:
• It is important to remove spent zinnia blooms frequently to encourage continuous blooms.
• Fertilize regularly.
• I plant tulip bulbs in this washtub in the fall. Plant thickly. This area is insulated by a snowdrift which helps the tulip bulbs survive in a container. In the spring, I remove the tulips along with the top half of the soil. Add new soil on top and plant for the summer.
• Click here to go to a PDF version of this post. https://sdsu.box.com/s/amjb01q2pfif9za111uh3iwebx9by1sk

by Cindy Jungman, SDSU Extension Master Gardener

I find so many striking features in this full-sun container! The acalypha plant is a true thriller with its shiny and show foliage. The supercal plant is a cross between a petunia and calibrachoa. It is such a reliable and prolific plant and it comes in unique colors such as the “Premium Cinnamon” used in this container. One of my favorite spiller plants is the pony-tail grass. I love the way it drapes softly over the edge of the container. Hard to see in this photo are the vinca plants towards the back because they blend so well with the supercal.

RECIPE:
• (1) Acalypha “Louisiana Red”
• (2) Supercal “Premium Cinnamon”
• (2) Stipa Pony Tail Grass
• (2) Vinca “Tatoo Papaya”

TIPS:
• The vigorous plants in this container need to be watered frequently.
• Consider mulching the container to help conserve moisture during hot weather. I like to use cocoa bean shells for mulch.
• Trim the supercal occasionally to maintain its fullness and encourage continuous blooms.
• Angle the root ball of the Stipa pony-tail grass towards the edge of the container when you plant it to encourage the plant to drape over the edge.
• Stipa pony-tail grass is easy to grow from seed. You can also divide purchased Stipa plants by cutting through with a sharp knife. Small clumps grow quickly.
• Click here to go to a PDF version of this post. https://sdsu.box.com/s/c23kwj41mkct7eesnn4341l7sk7hwxwv

by Cindy Jungman, SDSU Extension Master Gardener

This is a full-sun container. The thriller plant is a tulip-flowered geranium. It is a healthy vigorous plant that blooms continuously and is graced with large unique flowers. This website describes the tulip-flowered geranium: http://www.geraniumsonline.com/tulippel.htm

The vinca plant used in this container is also a prolific bloomer. Its tiny star-like “micro-blooms” cover the plant all summer. All those blooms came from one plant!

RECIPE:
• (1) Tulip-flowered Geranium Salmon Pink
• (1) Vinca “Soiree Kawaii Coral”
• (1) Petunia “Potunia Coral”
• (2) Calibrachoa “Superbells Yellow Chiffon” (these are towards the back and hardly show in the photo)

TIPS:
• Remove spent geranium blossoms frequently to encourage continued blooming.
• These plants are exceptionally vigorous. Fertilize every two weeks according to package instructions.
• Trim the petunia and calibrachoa back occasionally to maintain their fullness and promote new blooms.
• The geranium overwinters well in a cool location. I keep mine (in a pot) in our 40 degree garage. Water just enough to keep it alive. It will go dormant and lose most of its leaves. In early spring, trim back severely, begin watering and fertilizing, and introduce it gradually to sunlight.
• Click here to go to a PDF version of this post. https://sdsu.box.com/s/wuys57ggz6ahmovs27goi8h17i90t9d8