This container holds three Kong Coleus Rose, a couple Raspberry Moon Caladium and three Carex Ice Dance.....guess who won the race? The caladium was able to poke its head out here and there but Kong lived up to its name and overpowered everything. Not a bad thing but next time I'll be aware that there is no need to put anything else in a container with them. This container had short morning sun followed by shade all day. It did well with the every-other-day watering, although it did droop when the heat was intense. I recommend using Kong coleus wherever you need to make a big impact but it is a coleus with big leaves so it will need water!
I'll be sure to use Raspberry Moon Caladium next year....if I can find it again. The leaves are huge and the coloration different. This would look good with pink torenia as a spiller and autumn ferns as fillers.
While I'm on the subject of coleus I'll tell you about the others that were part of the plan. We're naming the "bad" now....Coleus Indian Summer....bad girl. She never got with the program, and I had been in love with her in previous years. True, I put her in full sun but she had been there before. She looked like wet laundry hanging on the line more than she did a proud flag flying on the mast. Every other day watering did not do it for her.
Coleus Indian Summer
Vinca Cora White
Sweet Potato Vine Bronze
Cuphea Totally Tempted
While I had hoped the colors of the coleus, cuphea and the sweet potato vine would all compliment each other, the sad state of the coleus overshadowed all of the potential glamour.
But on to the "good girls". To be sure I'll be using Coleus Wasabi and Dipt in Wine next year, along with the ultimate winner -- Coleus Pineapple. Wasabi and Dipt in Wine were in the ground at the Welcome Center garden so they did have the advantage of in-ground moisture and the shade of the tree. But Pineapple worked her magic no matter where she was. When she had more sun the colors were brighter yellow with bolder burgundy stems and accents. In the shade, it was more lime green with less accents, but it made up for it in size. Check out the photos -----
This container had 3 Coleus Pineapple, 3 Vinca Cora Pink, 3 sweet potato vine Sweet Carolina Sweetheart Red, and 3 Sunpatiens White (you all know the sad story about the Sunpatiens....gone, gone, gone). It did get morning sun and some late afternoon sun....but it was one happy container.
The colorations on Pineapple are so striking and will compliment just about anything you pair it with....think red, burgundy, purple, blue, and even OMG...pink.
Now check out the color when it sat in the shade all day......
Coleus Pineapple (3)
Vinca Cora white (4)
Angelonia white (4)
Autumn Ferns (3)
Lysimachia Persian Chocolate (3)
In another posting I'll tell you about the awesome Lysimachia Persian Chocolate but for now, can you believe that coleus??
Another all time favorite of mine that seems to be appearing in nurseries under slightly different names is Big Red Judy or as this year's version is called Redhead. It did well in full sun -- would have liked a little more water than it got, but still strutted its stuff all summer. It is still in a container as of this date -- we'll see how she holds up to the 30 degree temps coming our way.
I've shown you these guys before but to round out the story, here are photos of Wasabi and Dipt in Wine again.
Wasabi is in the background
Dipt in Wine in the foreground
The retail nurseries are placing their 2013 spring orders now so if you like any of these plants, let the owners know so they can be sure to have them available next year. Paula at Thomas Orchards works with a grower who does lots of "proven winners" -- but it is a tight market so get your requests in early. Next posting -- the grasses!
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