This one's a keeper!

[willowgirl]

My favorite coleus from this year's test garden. It's a cross of 'Mariposa' and ?. (Probably 'Rainbow.')

The test garden a couple of weeks ago. I need to get these babies moved outdoors!

So many plants, so little time!

[dustawaits]

I was given a plant last fall....this year it is gorgeous, the colors so brilliant,,,

I will be watching to see what yours look like in a month or two!

[Jolly]

Absolutely beautiful!

[willowgirl]

Thanks! The leaves on this one are quite three-dimensional ... the black spots are kind of 'warty.'

I got another one from the same batch with similar coloring, but sans warts.

I like the warts!

[willowgirl]

Here's a new pic of my favorite variety from last year. I call it 'Starfish.'

I propagated a second plant from the first, but really need to make a few more of this one! Its only fault is that its leaves fade a bit in full sun. It would probably do better with a little more shade.

'Warty' got damaged in the greenhouse! I'm not sure if a cat stepped on it or its main stem just snapped under the weight of the leaves (which would be a serious fault. I don't like a brittle coleus). I caught it in time and repotted it with the break below the soil line, and it seems to be recovering, but not putting out much new growth. So the jury's still out on this variety ... they have to be both pretty and hardy to make the cut. Luckily the plant with similar coloring, sans warts, is doing splendidly and that one will be a keeper for sure!

I've got four or five promising new varieties this year. Afraid I'm gonna need a bigger plant room soon!

[wally]

Willowgirl, those are absolutely stunning.

[willowgirl]

Why, thanks Wally! I guess breeding coleus has become a little hobby of mine. Mother Nature does all the work -- I just collect the seeds, plant them and see what comes up! It's like opening presents on Christmas morning.

[willowgirl]

A few more from the test garden:

A few years ago I grew a packet of Park Seeds' 'Dragon' and 'Volcano' mix seeds. They've definitely left their genetics in my seed stock!

Also showing traces of the above genetics is this nice green-and-white variety which I'll probably keep around as it's a little fancier than the one I've been carrying from year to year. The coloration makes a nice visual break from the more flamboyant varieties.

This guy's from last year ... he's kinda plain but I like him anyway, lol.

Even the ones that probably won't make the cut to be carried over from year to year add interest to the garden for a season.