Discover Buffalo 2015: Celebration of Coleus and Color at the Botanical Gardens

As mentioned previously, coleus are one of my favorite plants to grow – and also to take photos of, because there are many amazing patterns and colors. That being said, one of my favorite exhibits at the Buffalo and Erie County Botanical Gardens is the Celebration of Coleus and Color, which is taking place now through August 2^nd.

In addition to the coleus showcase, the Albright-Knox Public Art Initiative is featuring the exhibit ‘Shayne Dark: Natural Conditions,’ both inside the Gardens and on the Gardens’ grounds.

The Western New York Garden Railway Society is also offering one of its Garden Railway Exhibits as well during the coleus showcase.

Part of the Gardens – my favorite part, the waterfall area :( - is currently undergoing some renovations, but a neat little fairy garden is present outside the area showcasing the dinosaurs, the waterfall and the bridge.

Find out more about the Botanical Gardens and other events at buffalogardens.com. 

all photos: paulathompsonfreelance.com

Khalessi’s Garden: 2015 is the Year of the Coleus!

One of the biggest reasons I’ve been able to expand my SciFi/Fantasy garden over the last few years was my discovery of Rosy Dawn Coleus and all of their correctly-named coleus – plants like Darth Vader, Lord Voldemort and Hedwig. This year, I added a bunch of others to the order, including Apocalypse (X-Men), Fire Dragon, Red Witch and Yellow Dragon (Game of Thrones).

While I was doing some research for one of my Examiner columns on gardening, I happened upon the National Garden Bureau website, which has proclaimed 2015 as the Year of the Coleus! I personally think every year is the year of the coleus, but I’m a tad bit obsessive over the plants :)

Coleus are most definitely known more for their foliage than their flowers, and it’s not difficult to see why – from bright lime to nearly-black purple to bi-color, trailing to tall, small leaves to large, its leaves are where the story is. Coleus work great in containers and flower beds, and add texture and dimension to any setting. Coleus are considered a shade plant, because sunlight and heat can affect the colors – I, however, use them everywhere!

I love using coleus in containers, especially on my front porch, where a few coleus plants are all that is needed to brighten up a corner. I’ve also mixed them with exotic impatiens and begonias as the “thriller” in the container. Many of my SciFi/Fantasy coleus will be in the ground, but I may group Fire Dragon and Yellow Dragon with Black Dragon, which I usually find in one of the local nurseries.

Here are a couple of my coleus containers from last year (paulathompsonfreelance.com):