The Garden Guy has been part of a lot of coleus trials over the years but I don’t remember seeing one like ColorBlaze Mini Me Chartreuse, which will make its debut in 2025. I gave it casual mention in a column titled Let Loose the Chartreuse, but I am certain it deserves its own column.
First off, it is an electrifying color of chartreuse that simply makes every combination better. The Proven Winners tag says it will reach 20 inches tall with a spread up to 18 inches. That is easily true, but I suspect it has more vigor in the tank than that.
I first noticed something extra special about the plant when it swallowed up my Blue Mohawk soft rush, Cherry Cordial cordyline or cabbage palm and my treasured Luminary Sunset Coral tall garden phlox. Now don’t get me wrong, all those plants are still there. I just couldn’t see them. I cut them back hard, and it was just a couple of days later I noticed that even though they were shorter, there was no evidence they had been cut. I thought to myself that was wonderful and a little strange, too.
Then around Nov. 1 I started thinking if there was ever a coleus I should try indoors, it was Mini Me Chartreuse. So, I took some 6-inch cuttings, thinking I would try and, perhaps, even see if I could make some poinsettia combos. As I was preparing to stick them in potting soil, I noticed that the 6-inch cuttings had branch after branch. These weren’t long branches; they even had a bushy look. So I stripped off some of the bushiness, if you will, leaving me about 3-inches of bare stem.
The Garden Guy:Go forth Boldly and plant those geraniums. They will bloom even into December
My six plants in the bed that I had cut back are now 24 inches tall and wide and look as though they will have no problem making December in my zone 8 garden in Midland, Ga. The cuttings I tried indoors have rooted, but they are not tall enough to make poinsettia partners as of Nov. 18. I’ve grown ColorBlaze Mini Me Watermelon but never cut branches to know if it is similar in structure to the Mini Me Chartreuse.
It seems to be a tough-as-nails coleus, suitable for full sun or part-shade. I can’t imagine a flower color that would not make a dazzling partner. In addition to Luminary Sunset Coral tall garden phlox. I have also used the new Luminary Pink Lightning phlox and both make a holy wow combination. The new Totally Tempted Richly Red and Totally Tempted Watermelon cupheas also make incredible partners.
Lastly, I can tell you I am dreaming of planting a combination that would feature the red Heart to Heart Burning Heart, or Heart to Heart Clowning Around caladiums with the ColorBlaze Mini Me Chartreuse coleus. Both would offer you unparalleled tropical looking beauty that would persevere until a killing frost.
Such is the joy of being a gardener. Planning for next year while you still have hands in the soil this year.
Follow Norman Winter on Facebook @NormanWinterTheGardenGuy for more photos and garden inspiration. See more columns by Norman at SavannahNow.com/lifestyle/home-garden/.
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