Add Warmth with Lush Foliage
Spitfire Coleus
Solenostemon scutellarioides
Revamp your garden into a vibrant oasis with the stunning Spitfire Coleus. Boasting velvety, lush foliage, it adds depth and warmth. Ideal for both novice and expert gardeners, Spitfire Coleus is low-maintenance and features vibrant colors. Its leaves, ranging from electric pinks to deep burgundies, inject a burst of color into any landscape. Moreover, it thrives in various lighting, flourishing in both shady and sunny spots. Thus, bring your garden to life with Spitfire Coleus for a season-long display of color.
Why Choose Spitfire Coleus in your Garden?
- Rich Foliage: The Spitfire Coleus boasts luxurious leaves that combine deep burgundy with fiery red margins, offering a visually warming effect.
- Adaptive Growth: Equally comfortable in the sun or shade, this plant’s versatility ensures it can enhance any part of your garden, from borders to containers.
- Eye-Catching Display: The dramatic coloration of the Spitfire Coleus guarantees to attract attention and complement the surrounding flora with its unique palette.
The Green Facts About the Spitfire Coleus
- Common Name: Coleus
- Scientific Name: Solenostemon scutellarioides
- Hardiness Degree: Thrives in temperatures above 32°F (0°C), suited for warm climates or as a seasonal accent in cooler regions.
- Growth Habit: Exhibits a bushy, upright growth, reaching heights of 24-30 inches (61-76 cm) and spreading 18-24 inches (46-61 cm).
- Characteristics: Notable for its deep, rich foliage that maintains vivid color in both heat and shade, Spitfire Coleus is a standout choice for any gardening project.
- Optimal Conditions: Achieves optimal growth in partial to full shade but can adapt to full sun if adequately watered, prefers well-drained, fertile soil.
Growing Information & Plant Care
- Sunlight: Adaptable to various lighting, achieving most intense color in partial shade, yet resilient in full sun conditions.
- Water and Soil: Requires consistently moist, well-drained soil; avoid letting it dry out or become waterlogged. Optimal growth in rich, organic soil.
- Spacing and Fertilization: Plants should be spaced 18″-24″ apart. Employ a balanced, monthly fertilizer or a slow-release option for continual nourishment.
Special Features of the Spitfire Coleus
- Notable Features: The Spitfire Coleus is celebrated for its striking foliage that adds a dramatic flair to any garden setting.
- Uses: Perfect for creating bold contrasts in mixed containers, window boxes, and making a statement in landscape beds.
- Homeowners Growing Tips: To promote a fuller, more vibrant plant, periodically pinch back the tips and remove any flowers, focusing growth energy on the foliage.
Warm Up Your Garden with Spitfire Coleus
Incorporating the Spitfire Coleus into your garden introduces a burst of warmth and color that lasts throughout the growing season. With minimal care requirements and maximum visual impact, this plant remains a steadfast choice for gardeners looking to spice up their outdoor spaces. Whether placed in full sun or deep shade, the Spitfire Coleus brings a piece of perpetual summer brightness to any garden arrangement.
This coleus variety is included in our 6-piece Colorful Coleus Collection – Check it Out!
Proper Planting Instructions:
- Unpack and water immediately. Until ready to plant, keep your new coleus in a bright indoor location & water frequently to prevent soil drying. Wait to plant until after the last frost.
- Choose a planting location based on your plants’ needs. This coleus likes full sun to light shade. They will also need about 12 to 24 inches of space to grow.
- Prepare the ground. Remove nearby weeds and grass. Mix in compost or a slow-release fertilizer.
- Dig a hole twice as wide and twice as deep as the pot.
- Remove the pot from your coleus plant by laying it sideways; massage it gently and slowly slide it off the root ball.
- Hold the plant in the dug hole & match the plant’s soil level with the ground.
- Fill the hole with loose soil and press softly, but firmly to compact the plant base.
- Water your newly planted coleus thoroughly right away.
Continuing Care for Your Coleus:
- Water frequently the first few weeks after planting and during dry spells.
- Apply slow-release fertilizer at the beginning of the season.
- A gentle pruning of branch tips can encourage branching.
- When planting in containers, pick a bigger pot that your fast-paced coleus can grow into.
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