These plants (coleus / 'painted nettle') have been spending the summer out on my balcony. Recently they surprised me by sprouting blooms. I didn't even know they could! I can't recall that the ones I've had indoors have ever done that. Not sure if that's because indoors I don't let them get that tall, or because they don't get as much light there. I've never tried them outdoors until this year. But they're very easy to take cuttings from, and I had more of them than I wanted indoors back in the spring.
(The green plant on the right is a geranium - which I expected would bloom if I put it out, but it did not!)
A plant unexpectedly blooming is certainly a nice autumn surprise! I wonder whether bees and other insects are still out to find this food source so relatively late in the year.
ReplyDeleteMeike, we haven't had any frost yet, so I guess on a sunny afternoon there may still be some insects about. Rather rainy and windy lately, though...
DeleteThey are beautiful. I have the same ones, and keep them inside in a sunny room.mine get blooms as well, but I keep them cut down or else they get too tall and leggy.
ReplyDeleteGinny, these on the balcony will probably be left to grow as tall as as they please until the frost takes them... I have two or three more of the same kind indoors!
Deletei did not know they bloomed either. I love the green the best, it doesn't need blooms. they all look so pretty together
ReplyDeleteThanks Sandra. Haven't decided what to do about the geraniums yet - should probably get them in before the frost; but in that case need to cut them back quite a bit, and I'm not sure they'll survive anyway...
DeleteMy mother loved coleus but used to nip off what she called the stalks as she thought that was what happened when they went to seed. Hope yours thrive, Monica. They are such pretty plants.
ReplyDeletePauline, the ones on the balcony will get taken by the frost sooner or later - but I have more indoors, and I keep taking cuttings to renew them.
DeleteThey look such healthy plants - being outdoors has probably made them revert to type and flower.
ReplyDeleteCG, I've never tried having them outdoors before, but as they seemed to like it, I'll probably do it again next year (with new cuttings). An easy way to fill some space there!
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