{"product_id":"coleus-love-bird","title":"Coleus 'Love Bird'","description":"\u003cp\u003eThe \u003cstrong\u003eColeus 'Love Bird'\u003c\/strong\u003e, one of the most compact of all the \u003cstrong\u003epainted nettles\u003c\/strong\u003e (\u003cem\u003eColeus scutellarioides\u003c\/em\u003e, formerly \u003cem\u003eSolenostemon\u003c\/em\u003e), is a jewel-box of a foliage plant. Each small, scalloped leaf is painted deep rose-red and neatly edged in bright lime-yellow, carried on a tidy, self-branching mound that stays neat all summer. It is the easy way to pack bold, tropical-looking colour into a pot or border with no flowers required.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eColeus is a tender tropical perennial, so in the UK it is grown as a \u003cstrong\u003esummer plant\u003c\/strong\u003e: stood outside or bedded out from late May once the frosts have passed, then enjoyed right through to autumn. Rated RHS H1c, it will not take frost, but it grows fast and colours up quickly, giving you months of vivid foliage from a single small plant. Treat it as a seasonal star, or keep it going year to year by overwintering a plant or a few cuttings on a bright windowsill.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003ch3\u003eHow and where to grow\u003c\/h3\u003e\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003ePosition:\u003c\/strong\u003e full sun to partial shade. Good light keeps the red and yellow contrast strong, with a little afternoon shade in the hottest spots to prevent scorch.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eSoil:\u003c\/strong\u003e fertile, humus-rich, moist but well-drained soil, or a quality peat-free compost in \u003ca href=\"https:\/\/growtropicals.com\/collections\/plants-for-pots\"\u003econtainers and pots\u003c\/a\u003e.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eSize:\u003c\/strong\u003e a dwarf, bushy habit to around 20 to 30 cm, perfect for the front of a border or a patio display.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eHardiness:\u003c\/strong\u003e tender (H1c), so protect from frost and bring under cover over winter.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\u003cp\u003eKeep the compost consistently moist, as coleus is thirsty and sulks if it dries out, and feed every couple of weeks through summer. Pinch out the growing tips regularly and snip off any flower spikes to keep it dense, bushy and brightly coloured. 'Love Bird' is superb in mixed \u003ca href=\"https:\/\/growtropicals.com\/collections\/exotic-border-plants\"\u003eexotic and tropical borders\u003c\/a\u003e, in summer container schemes, and as fast, low-level colour in a \u003ca href=\"https:\/\/growtropicals.com\/collections\/plants-for-shade\"\u003epartly shaded spot\u003c\/a\u003e. See our \u003ca href=\"https:\/\/growtropicals.com\/pages\/hardy-exotics-what-to-expect\"\u003ewhat to expect through the seasons\u003c\/a\u003e guide for more on growing tender exotics outdoors.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003ePart of our wider \u003ca href=\"https:\/\/growtropicals.com\/collections\/hardy-exotics\"\u003eHardy Exotics\u003c\/a\u003e range, every plant is nursery-grown, carefully selected and packed with care to arrive in top condition.\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"GROW TROPICALS","offers":[{"title":"12cm \/ 1L","offer_id":57980901753215,"sku":"COLELOVEBIRD12","price":11.99,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0361\/9645\/0348\/files\/littlebird.jpg?v=1784323647","url":"https:\/\/growtropicals.com\/products\/coleus-love-bird","provider":"GrowTropicals","version":"1.0","type":"link"}