Which coleus is best?

QI’ve taken a fancy to coleus and want to grow lots to fill the gaps in the garden in summer. Which do I go for, and how do I start them – from seed or plants?

Maggie Gilchrist, Lancaster, Lancashire

AYou are not alone in embracing coleus, as these colourful foliage plants are enjoying a revival. They like warm summer weather and make excellent gap-fillers, growing quickly to 24in (60cm) high and wide, ideal for shading out weeds.

Set them between exotic looking plants, where they’ll brighten the garden with toothed, often indented foliage in red, yellow, orange, brown, green, red, purple or pink. They are evergreen perennials in the mint tribe, although common names ‘flaming nettle’ and ‘painted nettle’ might suggest otherwise!

Originally from the forests of Indonesia, coleus species introduced during the 1800s gave rise to colouredleaved plants that appealed to Victorian gardeners. Another flare of popularity sparked in the 1960s and 1970s, and there has since been a generic name change to Solenostemon.

Coleus plants are easy to raise from seed, and there are some great strains and mixtures available. After germination, give seedlings a minimum of 50°F (10°C) and transplant grid-fashion into a seed tray, or individually to small pots.

When shoots grow longer than 3in

(8cm), nip out the growing tips all over to encourage a bushy shape and prevent flowering. Pot on to 5in (13cm) pots if necessary and then, after the last frosts (usually late May or early June), harden off gradually by placing outdoors before planting into containers or borders.

If you want named varieties of coleus, buy in as young, cuttings-raised plants (try Dibley’s Nursery at dibleys.com). Stock plants of these and favourites from seed mixtures can be overwintered successfully at a minimum of 50°F

(10°C), watered sparingly.