Coleus choices recommended by Nancy Szerlag in her Annuals For Michigan by Lone Pine Press.

S. scutellarioides (Coleus blumei var. verschaffeltii) forms a bushy mound of foliage. The leaf edges range from slightly toothed to very ruffled. The leaves are usually multi-colored with shades ranging from pale greenish yellow to deep purple-black. The size may be 6–24", depending on the cultivar, and the spread is usually equal to the height. There are dozens of cultivars available and many cannot be started from seed.

A few interesting cultivars that can be started from seed are the ‘Dragon’ series with bright yellow-green margins to the variably-colored leaves;

‘Palisandra’ with velvety, purple-black foliage;

‘Scarlet Poncho’ with wine red leaves edged in yellow-green;

and the ‘Wizard’ series with variegated foliage on compact plants.

S. ‘Palisandra’ elegant nearly black velvet-like leaves borne on 18-inch plants.

S. ‘Garnet Robe’ a cascading variety with trailing stems covered with stunning rich Bordeux colored leaves edged in chartreuse.