Swallowtails Coleus

Swallowtails Coleus (Coleus 'Swallowtails')

Swallowtails Coleus is a vibrant foliage annual valued for intricately patterned leaves that deliver season-long color in containers and beds. Its upright to mounding habit provides reliable texture and contrast in partial sun to shade.

Distinctive Features

Bold, multi-toned foliage with serrated edges holds color without flowering, offering continuous display from planting to frost. Strong branching creates a dense, shapely outline with minimal pinching.

Growing Conditions

• Sun Exposure: Partial sun to partial shade; provide afternoon shade in hotter climates.
• Soil: Fertile, well drained potting mix or amended garden soil with good aeration.
• Water: Keep evenly moist; do not allow soil to dry out completely between waterings.
• USDA Hardiness Zones: 10 to 11 outdoors; grow as an annual elsewhere.
• Mature Size: 1 to 2 ft tall and 1 to 2 ft wide, depending on culture.

Ideal Uses

• Focal Point: High-contrast foliage creates an immediate visual anchor in shade displays.
• Containers: Excels in porch pots and window boxes with consistent moisture.
• Bedding Displays: Provides solid color blocks and edging in mixed borders.
• Shade Borders: Brightens dappled sites under open canopies.
• Mixed Planters: Pairs well with begonias, impatiens, and trailing companions.

Low Maintenance Care

• Watering: Water thoroughly and drain excess; maintain steady moisture during heat.
• Pruning: Pinch tips lightly to promote branching and remove any flower spikes to preserve leaf color.
• Fertilizing: Feed every 3 to 4 weeks with a balanced liquid fertilizer at half strength.
• Mulching: Top-dress beds or containers with fine bark to moderate moisture and reduce splash.
• Notes: Acclimate gradually to higher light to prevent scorch and rotate containers for even growth.

Why Choose Swallowtails Coleus?

• Season-Long Color: Foliage provides continuous impact without reliance on blooms.
• Shade Performance: Thrives where flowering annuals often fade.
• Design Versatility: Works in containers, borders, and mass plantings.
• Easy Care: Minimal pinching and routine feeding keep plants full and vibrant.
• Reliable Texture: Dense habit delivers structure and contrast across the season.

For best results, site in morning sun with afternoon shade, use a well drained mix, and maintain even moisture to maximize foliage color and fullness.