Yellow has been the co-star of my yard this year, sharing the bill with persian shield (strobilanthes dyerianus.) Also pictured with the wizards below, in lots of sun with white-ish lower leaves. It grows very fast and has been spread far and wide by now. Can handle lots of sun but prefers a little more shade, older leaves get white-ish under mid-day sun. Otherwise, its' color remains constant regardless of exposure.

1 2 3 4 5 (plant on the left) This one also grows very fast and has gotten put in many different situations/conditions. As you can see, its' coloring is extremely variable with bright green, pink and white stripes in mostly shade, going to nearly solid burgundy in full sun. This single plant has made a different statement everywhere I put it. I wonder if its' name is chameleon?

1 2 (plant on the right) This one did not grow as quickly until I put a cutting under the a/c condensation spout. It was also a later addition so I've only had about 4 months of experimenting with it, just recently have put new cuttings in more shade to see what color changes happen.

Opposite wizards from seeds. More of the yellow behind those which doesn't seem to clash with any of the colors I have, but I garden with a pretty narrow palette by choice and design. These were the only plants that sprouted from the whole pack of (? 100) seeds. Only recently would I have felt either was big enough to bother taking a cutting but their location makes leaving them alone and bigger more desirable.

Since I did buy every one I saw this year that wasn't a hideous orange/brown or off-red color (lots of those!) you can see there were 3. Ho-hum.

In addition to wanting to see everyone's beautiful plants, I'm mildly curious about the narrow selection at *most* stores as a decades-long phenomenon. I know I am in good company when I say coleus is the first plant I look for and MUST have almost all of the ones I see at the stores. I know, I know, there is internet and mail order, but it's just a personal policy of mine not to get plants that way. I could find that info myself if I wanted. Not trying to sound *itchy or anything, that's just not the discussion I'm trying to start. I sure do miss being able to drive to Bakers Acres to browse!

First I have to voice my complaint also about the selection of coleus that the nurseries carry. That hideous thing that you descibed I saw everywhere this year was sad.

The one nursery that I usually go to at best only have maybe one that might catch my fancy. This year I went late and he said they were sold out. If something sells out that fast you would think the nurseries would catch on and order more and have a good selection.

I am also like you I will not order a coleus especially the cost for a small twig and over the top postage is my issue.

This is what I found this year.

I can't tell you how long I spent trying to figure out WHAT it was, i.e annual, tender perennial, etc... But I liked it so much that I'm trying to overwinter, not a clue how. Tag it came with said shade, so I have it in south window.

purpleinopp, I'm so computer challenged, you could give me the most simplistic steps for posting photos and at present, I wouldn't have a clue... yet... But I'm still working on ID'ing the ones I've found and pray to have live overwinter...

Names I'm sure of... Careless Love, Mr Wonderful (love), Ollie, Peter Wonderland (love), Alambama Sunset, Cantigny Royale (slow growing, small, duck footed), Bronze Pagoda (Love), I still have 2 I need to ID...

I had some lime thing, but decided not to save as it seems to get grey or bleached as it grows, and I was sick of continually chopping, though I may break down and try to save a cutting (NO more!)...I've gotten cuttings from friends.

You also seem to have a piece of it in last photo, in the middle cup. WHen you found yours, was it labeled "named"??? I was happy to see it!

All these I ID'd through websites, it was fun? I PRAY I can overwinter okay, many say they are very finicky (light, humidity, etc).

Amy

If you are talking about the last one in my pic and not purples post. I do not have a clue of a name I picked it up at the nursery as a annual 6 pack plant that was only labled as colues.

I have tried to save colues several times through the winter and have never had much success. This year I am going to put them in aquariums that I do not use anymore and I have two terrariums that I am going to use. It seems the humidity is why I have failed to keep them alive.

grey, your plant may go dormant over the winter but don't give up. Overwatering and subsequent root rot is usually how I go wrong during the winter. If you want to double your chances of success, you could try keeping a cutting in a bottle of water until spring. Although some may prefer shade in the summer, in the winter, coleus and Althernantheras need lots of light.

I had some lime thing, but decided not to save as it seems to get grey or bleached as it grows... This is one of the fun things about coleus - trying to figure out where to put each one so you get the colors you like best. It blows me away sometimes the difference in colors from different amounts of sun. I would prefer if the leaves on my yellow/lime plant wouldn't turn whitish but they kind of "glow" in the dark, so that's cool.

Coleus and Althernantheras are so pretty. My favorite is A. Party trio, something or other. Three gorgeous colors.

Purple, I love your yellow/gold Coleus. Never saw one quite like it.

Marquest, my favorite of yours is the third pic, potted with variegated Ginger. It's beautiful.

Anyone planning on taking cuttings?

This summer, I wanted Althernanthera Party Trio, but couldn't find it, however, for the first time I bought super-large leaf Coleus. Pics aren't the best, but the Coleus are/were really nice. Usually, large leaf types are over my budget, but these guys were on sale in 4" pots.

Red Amaranthus and Salvia in front.

The tag said Amaranthus, but not sure.

Mix of Salvia and Amaranthus???

About the Coleus. I normally choose by color and shape. This last summer, I bought for size of leaves, otherwise, the coloring isn't anything special.

Leaves are/were 8-10" long. Newer foliage is starting to grow in smaller since days shortened.

Marquest, I adore the shapes of your Coleus in pic 2.
On first glance, I thought pic 1 was, Iresine 'Chicken Gizzard,' but guess not. Toni

That yellow coleus has been co-star of my "show" this year. I wasn't that crazy about it when I bought it this spring but it was one of the few they had and it was the best decision. It looks great wherever I put it, and really pops next to purple and hot pink. In the past month, I've put cuttings in shadier spots and that's making them get quite a bit of red coloring.

The more I play with these plants, the more amazed I am. I know of no other plant that can make completely different colored leaves based on various sun exposures. The option is usually "more colorful vs. faded-looking."

Finally got a photo sharing account that allows remote linking:

1

2

3

4

5

6

7 - the leaves on this plant get pretty big, but not 8-10"!

The red stems on the Yellow Coleus is striking. Wow!!
I really like the yellow.

Your Persian Shield/Strobilanthes is doing great, too. I can't find PS anymore. It used to be sold in most garden centers..not anymore. I love the purple and silver.

Seems there are four leaf size Coleus. Small, medium, large and extra-large.
Two years ago, Home Depot had extra-large Coleus in 10" pots, but the prices were sky-high. Had to pass.
Your leaves, in the last pic, look large..and very pretty.

The leaves of the plant in the last pic are about 4", that's a little basil cutting just behind it to the left. That plant gets dark, almost brown in more sun.

I wrote to you on "tradescantia navicularis" thread. It slipped pretty far down the page since then. I think you missed my last entry on that?

Al

Had to cut all of mine down last night due to frost concern. I couldn't put this leaf in the compost without taking its' picture first. Grew this one from seed this year. I know it's just a wizard, but it's the biggest leaf I've seen on one. Wish computer had the sense of touch, this leaf is so soft and velvety: