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annual

Terra Nova® Lovebird Coleus

Solenostemon scutellarioides 'Lovebird'

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Terra Nova Lovebird Coleus (Solenostemon scutellarioides 'Lovebird') at Green Acre Farm & Nursery

Terra Nova® Lovebird Coleus foliage

Terra Nova® Lovebird Coleus foliage

(Photo courtesy of NetPS Plant Finder)

Terra Nova Lovebird Coleus (Solenostemon scutellarioides 'Lovebird') at Green Acre Farm & Nursery

Terra Nova® Lovebird Coleus

Terra Nova® Lovebird Coleus

(Photo courtesy of NetPS Plant Finder)

Height:  4 inches

Spacing:  6 inches

Sunlight:  partial shade  full shade 

Hardiness Zone:  (annual)

Other Names:  Flame Nettle, Painted Nettle

Group/Class:  Terra Nova® Collection

Brand:  Terra Nova

Description:

This dazzling, compact beauty has small, bright red fingered leaves that are edged in yellow; presents a great self-branching, dense mounded habit; perfect for gardens, containers, hanging baskets and mixed borders

Ornamental Features

Terra Nova® Lovebird Coleus' attractive small lobed leaves remain red in color with distinctive yellow edges and tinges of creamy white throughout the year on a plant with a mounded habit of growth.

Landscape Attributes

Terra Nova® Lovebird Coleus is an herbaceous annual with a mounded form. Its medium texture blends into the garden, but can always be balanced by a couple of finer or coarser plants for an effective composition.

This is a relatively low maintenance plant. The flowers of this plant may actually detract from its ornamental features, so they can be removed as they appear. Deer don't particularly care for this plant and will usually leave it alone in favor of tastier treats. It has no significant negative characteristics.

Terra Nova® Lovebird Coleus is recommended for the following landscape applications;

  • Mass Planting
  • Border Edging
  • General Garden Use
  • Container Planting
  • Hanging Baskets

Planting & Growing

Terra Nova® Lovebird Coleus will grow to be only 4 inches tall at maturity, with a spread of 8 inches. When grown in masses or used as a bedding plant, individual plants should be spaced approximately 6 inches apart. Although it's not a true annual, this fast-growing plant can be expected to behave as an annual in our climate if left outdoors over the winter, usually needing replacement the following year. As such, gardeners should take into consideration that it will perform differently than it would in its native habitat.

This plant does best in partial shade to shade. It requires an evenly moist well-drained soil for optimal growth, but will die in standing water. It is not particular as to soil pH, but grows best in rich soils. It is highly tolerant of urban pollution and will even thrive in inner city environments. Consider applying a thick mulch around the root zone over the growing season to conserve soil moisture. This is a selected variety of a species not originally from North America. It can be propagated by cuttings; however, as a cultivated variety, be aware that it may be subject to certain restrictions or prohibitions on propagation.

Terra Nova® Lovebird Coleus is a fine choice for the garden, but it is also a good selection for planting in outdoor containers and hanging baskets. It is often used as a 'filler' in the 'spiller-thriller-filler' container combination, providing a canvas of foliage against which the thriller plants stand out. Note that when growing plants in outdoor containers and baskets, they may require more frequent waterings than they would in the yard or garden.

 
 
Hardiness Zone Plant Height Minimum Sunlight
Characteristics
Massing  Edging  Garden  Container  Basket 
Applications
Foliage Color 
Ornamental Features

Disclaimer - This Plant Finder tool is an online resource representing many of the varieties that we carry over the course of the season, and is intended for informational purposes only. Inventory varies seasonally, so we cannot guarantee that every plant will be in stock at all times - please contact us directly for current availability. The Plant Finder tool does not include our entire selection of plants, so be sure to visit us to see varieties that may not be represented on this list.