Solenostemon Premium Sun Rose to Lime Magic

The Coleus Premium Sun Rose to Lime Magic is part of a series of very vigorous and well-branched Plectranthus. This Rose to Lime Magic variety has lanceolate, wavy, neatly toothed leaves that vary in colour throughout the season. The pink colour transforms into a cream tone bordered by lime green, never completely abandoning the pink, present here and there. This variety has an upright habit and a neat appearance. It tolerates the sun as long as it is sufficiently watered or in a soil that remains moist. Frost-sensitive, Coleus plants are grown as indoor plants or in the garden as annuals to decorate balconies and terraces. They are also particularly appreciated in seasonal compositions and contemporary designs. Their exotic charm makes a big impression and they require little maintenance.

Coleus, also known as Solenostemon, recently renamed Plectranthus, are plants related to Basil and nettle. They belong to the mint family, as indicated by their small bilabiate flowers with elongated lower lip, their fleshy square stems, and their toothed and hairy leaves on the underside. This genus comprises about sixty species of tender shrubby perennials, native to Asia and tropical Africa. Horticulture has produced numerous hybrids and cultivars, including many descendants of Solenostemon scutellarioides.

The Coleus Premium Sun Rose to Lime Magic forms an upright, dense and rounded clump, reaching about 40 cm (16in) in all directions in one season. The leaves are lanceolate in shape, with a slightly toothed lime green border. The lamina is slightly wavy in texture and ranges in colour from pink to cream. The late and very sporadic flowering in this selection is inconspicuous. It sometimes appears at the end of the season, in the form of small pale mauve-blue flowers. It is often recommended to remove these flowers so that the plants do not exhaust themselves producing seeds and maintain generous foliage.

Coleus, sometimes called 'painted nettles' because of their incredibly diverse foliage, are irreplaceable for adding a beautiful exotic touch to any decor, in the garden as well as in the house, where they can live for several years. They appreciate a partially shaded exposure, which can be found on the edge of a bed of tall perennials or shrubs, or in a cool rockery, exposed to the north or east, away from the burning rays of the sun. They allow for creating small mosaic-like massifs of colours and mix well with begonias in flower pots. The richness of their colours makes them somewhat difficult to pair with other plants; small ferns like Polypodium or purple misère (Tradescantia pallida) make good companions for Coleus. Take advantage of the changing colour of Rose to Lime Magic to associate it with plants with variegated cream foliage, solid apple green, or pink foliage or flowers. Its sun tolerance allows for associations with dwarf dahlias, for example.

Note: Please be aware that our young plug plants are professional products intended for experienced gardeners; upon receipt, repot and store them in shelters (veranda, greenhouse, cold frame) at a temperature above 14°C (57.2°F) for a few weeks before being placed outdoors once the risk of frost is definitively eliminated.