Saving the bother of growing these exotic-looking plants from seed
I love Coleus – they’re among the first plants I grew, along with Pelargoniums (geraniums) and tomatoes as a child – but what is Suttons Coleus Collection like?
Usually, I grow them from seed and dot them around the conservatory or with other tropical-looking plants outdoors in summer. They’re very easy to cultivate from cuttings – just pop them in a glass of water and roots will soon form. The Coleus Collection includes a wide colour range, selected for their compact, multi-branching habit and weather-resistant foliage. They’re perennials generally grown as annuals, but you can overwinter them as houseplants.
My selection differs from the list below – instead of Flame Thrower Salsa Roja, I have Black Dragon, a dark, velvety specimen with frilly leaves. Also, as a replacement, Kong Rose instead of Kong Lime Sprite – same series, different colouring.
Kong Series in Suttons Coleus Collection
I can thoroughly recommend the Kong Series, having grown them from seed last year. They do tend to be bigger than the others, so bear that in mind.
Here’s another point on Coleus – as a foliage plant, do you let yours flower? It was always drummed into me to nip out the ‘unsightly’ flower spikes, although everyone seems to leave them on nowadays. Up to you, I guess!
The collection has one or two of these varieties instead:
- Chocolate Covered Cherry: Crimson and maroon splashes with a lime green margin.
- Campfire: Burnt orange with a hint of pink on emerging leaves.
- Chocolate Mint: Deep maroon foliage with an acid green margin.
- Flame Thrower Salsa Roja: Deep burgundy red.
- Kong Lime Sprite: Large-leaved variety with lime and maroon leaves.
Despatched by the end of May, code: KC8236, 5 Jumbo Plug Plants £12.99; code: KC8237, 10 Jumbo Plug Plants, £19.99, www.suttons.co.uk.
