The Kong series of coleus continues to broaden. Now there are even Kong Jr. cultivars with leaves that are 30% smaller than the original Kongs.
This is ‘Kong Jr. Green Halo’:
And here’s ‘Kong Jr. Scarlet’:
There are also many big-leafed Kong cultivars like ‘Kong Salmon Pink’:
‘Kong Lime Sprite’:
Or ‘Kong Mosaic’:
But every year when it comes time to choose which coleus I want to feature in the pots along my front walkway, I always default to ‘Kong Rose’.
This beauty grows 22″ tall with huge lime green and burgundy leaves tinged with fuchsia.
The plants grow in an upright mound and prefer shade, but they can survive filtered sunlight. In late summer the plants send up purple flowers. With coleus the foliage is the star of the show, so many people pinch off the flowers. But it’s worth noting that bumblebees go nuts for those flowers.
‘Kong Rose’ Coleus has no disease or pest problems. The plants will thrive with regular watering and an occasional dose of fertilizer, and those big beautiful leaves will adorn your pots and planters all summer into fall.