Coleus Copinto Manhattan

The Coleus Copinto 'Manhattan' is part of a line of Plectranthus with an upright and bushy habit, named after cocktails inspired by their colours. This variety stands out with a very dark, almost black colour. Its beautiful toothed, textured foliage is enriched with ambiguous reflections, purplish-brown or chocolate-purple. Of average vigor, this variety has an upright habit and a clean appearance. Frost-sensitive, Coleus are foliage plants, known for their color and texture, and can be grown as indoor plants or as annuals in the garden, or to decorate balconies and terraces. They are particularly appreciated in seasonal compositions and contemporary designs. They require little maintenance and thrive in partial shade and moist soil.

Coléus, also known as Solenostemon, recently renamed Plectranthus, are plants related to Basil and nettle. They belong to the mint family, as evidenced by their small bilabiate flowers with elongated lower lips, their fleshy square stems, and their toothed and hairy leaves on the underside. This genus comprises around sixty species of frost-sensitive perennial shrubs, native to Asia and tropical Africa. Horticulture has given rise to numerous hybrids and cultivars, many of which are descendants of Solenostemon scutellarioides.

The Coléus Copinto 'Manhattan' forms an upright, dense and rounded clump, reaching about 40 cm (16in) in all directions in a season. The leaves are slightly hairy, triangular in shape, with a border cut into large rounded teeth. Their lamina has a slightly wavy texture and is very dark, almost black in color. The flowering, which is late and sporadic in this selection, is discreet. It sometimes occurs at the end of the season, in the form of small pale mauve-blue flowers. It is often recommended to remove these flowers so that the plants do not exhaust themselves producing seeds and can maintain generous foliage.

The Coleus Copinto 'Manhattan' is heat and humidity tolerant, but should not be placed in direct sunlight. It is a new variation of these incredible "painted nettles" with surprising foliage for the quality of their colours. The Coleus bring a very exotic touch to the garden or indoors, where they can live for several years. They prefer a partially shaded exposure, which can be found on the edge of a tall perennial bed or shrubs, or in a cool rockery, facing north or east, away from the burning rays of the sun. They can be paired with flowering plants like begonias in flower pots, for a beautiful contrast and a foliage display. The richness of their colors makes them quite difficult to pair, but you can mix different varieties to create colour mosaics in the garden. Alternatively, choose other foliage plants like ferns for a more serene look.

Note: Please be aware that our young plug plants are professional products intended for experienced gardeners: upon receipt, repot and store them in a sheltered place (veranda, greenhouse, cold frame) at a temperature above 14°C (57.2°F) for a few weeks before planting them outdoors once the risk of frost has definitively passed.