The Victorians were Coleus addicts -- so much so that, at the height of this plant's popularity, there was said to be a "Coleus craze" sweeping the populace! Looking at these reselected varieties from the heyday of the Coleus craze, it's easy to see why they were so popular!

In this mix you get large foliage on small plants. Most of the leaves are 6 to 7 inches long and 4 inches wide, yet the plants are very compact -- 12 to 15 inches high and wide! They arise in all the colors for which Coleus is known -- burgundy, scarlet, maroon, bronze, cream, pink, and white -- and sporting interesting touches, such as neatly-serrated edges or dramatic veining. You will love these old-fashioned beauties, reselected for modern vigor and terrific garden or container performance!

Originally selected as houseplants, the Coleus in this mix are also fine specimens in the shade garden, and are just the right size for containers. They are also fabulous in a mass planting!

Coleus germinates readily and grows eagerly. For bushier, fuller plants, keep the growing tips pinched. To extend the lush color into fall, remove any stray flower spikes that emerge -- they take energy away from maintaining the gorgeous foliage, and the flowers are insignificant. If growing in the garden, sow about 12 inches apart. If growing indoors for houseplants, sow at any time, placing the young plants in a well-lit window. Pkt is 20 seeds.