Coleus
Plectranthus scutellarioides
Coleus is an annual for edging, mid-border, suited to shade and partial shade and loam, flowering Jun, Jul, Aug.
| Type | Annual |
|---|---|
| Mature height | 60 cm |
| Spread | 45 cm |
| Aspect | shade and partial shade |
| Foliage | Deciduous |
| Hardiness | USDA 10a-11a |
| Pollinator-friendly | Yes |
| Pet-safe | No |
Where to use it in a border
At around 60 cm, it sits best along the front edge, where a low, spreading habit reads best. Give it about 45 cm of room to spread, roughly 2 to the metre when planted in a drift. It is hardy across USDA zones 10a to 11a, so check it suits your area before planting.
It appears in our lists of shade, pollinator-friendly plants.
Border Builder uses Coleus's height, spread, soil, bloom months and companions to place it in a full border plan for your own conditions, on iPhone and iPad.
Flowering through the year
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Worth knowing
- It tolerates a shaded, north-facing spot.
- Not recorded as pet-safe; site it away from pets that graze if that matters to you.
- Its flowers are valued by bees and other pollinators.
Good companions
Plants that share its conditions and style, chosen to complement its place in the border:
- Aucuba 'Gold Dust'for height behind it
- Calla Lilyas a partner at the same level
- Coral Bells 'Caramel'to edge in front
- Corkscrew Rushto edge in front
- Abelia 'Kaleidoscope'to flower when it does not
- Abelia 'Rose Creek'to edge in front