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Rhododendron 'Blue Baron' Greetings from a wet, wet garden. In between rains, I've managed to get a few photos... (And sorry for the erratic quality of these. I have a new phone and still learning how to use it. Some of these are from the phone and others from my camera). Acer japonicum 'Aconitifolium' ('Dancing Peacock') Flowering Currant ( Ribes sanguineum ) 'King Edward VII' Clematis 'Stolwijk Gold' is beautiful for the first time after languishing in the garden for five years. Turns out, it is all my fault. This is a clematis that should not be cut to the ground in early spring. You live and learn, and I know that I will never understand the rules of pruning clematis.  Clematis 'Stolwijk Gold'  Aucuba japonica 'Rozannie' - the aucuba that doesn't really look like the others.  But what a fine shrub this is, especially for shady situations. This was planted in 2019 and didn't grow much for the first few years but n...
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Coleus "Kong"


Earlier this summer, I was looking for a colorful annual to go in a large pot next to our back door. The spot is shady and under a small porch roof. I was going to go with the old stand-by - impatiens - but saw this at the nursery and decided to try it. It has been spectacular.



Text and photos by Phillip Oliver, Dirt Therapy
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  1. debsgardenOctober 10, 2015 at 9:26 PM

    I plant to use more coleus next year. The coleus I planted in the arbor garden this summer, like your 'Kong,' is still going strong. It is shrubby and quite beautiful.

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  2. Lisa at GreenbowOctober 11, 2015 at 6:42 PM

    Those big colorful coleus are certainly worth growing. They are so sturdy, not a bit fussy about light or water. Just give them room to grow.

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  3. AnonymousOctober 12, 2015 at 8:04 AM

    I love all the Kong coleus series for the shade garden. They are simply the best.

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  4. AnonymousOctober 12, 2015 at 10:59 AM

    Wow. Very eye catching.

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  5. outlawgardenerOctober 16, 2015 at 6:55 AM

    Beautiful coleus. Will you be bringing a lot of your pots and garden ornaments with you to your new digs in P town?

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    1. Phillip OliverOctober 16, 2015 at 7:50 AM

      I don't think I will bring any plants. Some pots and one or two statues but I am leaving the majority. :(

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  6. RobinLOctober 17, 2015 at 5:55 PM

    I'm a big fan of coleus, but I don't grow this one very often. But when I did, it was huge and lovely! I've always had good luck taking cuttings of coleus over the winter, and they make pretty house plants while you wait.

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  7. Casa MariposaOctober 24, 2015 at 4:33 PM

    I've become a big fan of coleus lately. Such tough, undemanding plants. Kong is a beauty. :o)

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  8. HoehoegrowOctober 27, 2015 at 7:26 AM

    I keep meaning to try 'Kong' as I do love coleus, but, here in the uk they take so long to get going, and are still little toddlers in July, even when planted under heat in February. Kong is a lovely size, and looks so healthy. Coleus remains somehow under the radar , a lovely annual which gets overlooked. Is it just out of fashion, or does it get overlooked when it is compared to annuals with big, showy flowers ?

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