Growing Tips for Coleus

Gardeners grow coleus plants for their beautiful foliage.  The oval single or variegated leaves of this annual are what make this plant stand out in your shade garden.   

I grow coleus as a border plant along my garden path and in my Hosta garden. I also grow them in containers.  Coleus plants come in a variety of colors; purple, green, brown, red, chartreuse, magenta pink, orange, and yellow to name a few of the brilliant colors that are available. 

When you grow coleus plants you will add eye-appealing color and interest to your shade gardens that look beautiful until fall frost.

Grow coleus from seed, cutting, or by transplanting into your garden from a nursery-grown pot.  If you plan on growing from seed then start indoors by planting 3 seeds for 1 plant.  

Grow the seed in the center of the seed-growing kit.  Plant indoors 8 to 10 weeks before the last frost date.  Seeds need light to germinate; I have found that the indirect light of an artificial grow light is a good way to grow coleus seeds indoors. 

I set the grow kits off to the side of the light.  Seeds germinate in 21 days.   Transplant outdoors after the threat of spring frost has passed and the soil has warmed.  

Choose a garden that gets partial shade throughout the day.  You can grow coleus in the ground or plant in containers.  For best-growing results plant coleus in well-drained soil that is amended with compost or manure.  For containers grow in Miracle Grow potting soil.  Make sure the containers have good drainage. 

Plant coleus in soil that is loose.  If there are clumps of soil then break it up with a shovel or by hand. Amend the soil with compost or manure and plant a nursery-grown plant at the same depth as the container that it was grown in.   Feed with water-based fertilizer after planting coleus, for best results feed every two weeks.

For multiple plants allow room to grow by spacing coleus one foot apart in the ground.  For containers or window box gardens, you can grow plants closer.  When mature the plant will be 12 inches in height with that the same spread.

Mulch the coleus garden beds with organic matter; chopped leaf matter, pine needles, or chipped tree bark.  This organic mulch will aid in keeping the soil moist, deter weeds, and will enrich the soil.

Other Tips

If your coleus plants' leaves are wilting this is a sign of too much light. If there is not enough light then the leaf color will fade. Getting the right exposure to light is imperative for the health of your coleus plant. 

For best results keep the soil evenly moist by not wet and avoid allowing the soil to dry.  When the soil is dry it will put stress on the coleus plant.  Container plants dry out quickly and may need to be watered daily.   

Learn tips for pruning and the history of the coleus plant by viewing this YouTube video

 

 

 

 

Diatomaceous Earth for Iris Gardens: Natural Borer Control

Every spring, my iris garden wakes up in a burst of color but before those blooms appear, I make sure the soil is clean and protected. One of the most effective and natural ways I’ve found to keep my irises healthy is by using diatomaceous earth food grade. This fine white powder is made from fossilized aquatic organisms and works as a powerful, chemical‑free pest control. It kills iris borers and other garden insects physically, not chemically, making it safe for pets, wildlife, and pollinators. Over the years, this simple treatment has helped me grow stronger plants and prevent the heartbreak of losing irises to hidden pests.

🌸 Why I Use Diatomaceous Earth on Irises

After winter, I start cleaning up my gardens by removing fallen oak leaves and debris. Wet leaves can attract iris borers that feed on tubers and weaken the plants. If left untreated, they’ll eventually kill the irises. I act quickly by dusting the beds with diatomaceous earth food grade it kills pests by dehydrating them when they crawl through the powder. Because it’s non‑toxic, I can use it freely around my garden without worrying about harming my pets or the birds that visit.

Healthy irises after natural pest control treatment. Photo by Susang6

🌿 Step‑by‑Step: How to Apply Diatomaceous Earth to Iris Beds

Here’s the exact process I follow each spring to protect my iris garden from borers and other pests:

1. Choose the right day. Work on a calm, dry day with no wind. This prevents the powder from blowing away and ensures even coverage.
2. Clear the bed. Remove all leaf debris, mulch, and weeds around your irises. Borers hide under damp leaves, so keeping the area clean is essential.
3. Loosen the soil. Gently loosen the dirt around each tuber with a hand fork or trowel. This helps the diatomaceous earth reach pests living below the surface.
4. Prepare your duster. Fill a sugar shaker or squeeze duster with food‑grade diatomaceous earth. Always wear a fine‑particle ventilator mask to avoid inhaling dust.
5. Apply around tubers. Shake the powder directly into the loosened soil around each tuber, then lightly cover it with dirt. This kills pests living in the soil.
6. Dust the entire bed. Sprinkle DE across the surface of the iris bed, coating leaves and soil lightly. This prevents above‑ground pests from feeding on your plants.
7. Let nature help. Spring showers will wash the powder deeper into the soil, continuing to kill pests below the surface. Reapply every 4–6 weeks or after heavy rain.

🌼 Watch for Signs of Iris Borers

Keep an eye on your plants throughout the season. If you notice yellow streaks on leaves or insects crawling near the tubers, retreat the area with another light dusting of diatomaceous earth food grade. Early treatment prevents damage and keeps your irises thriving.

💡 Notes from Susang6

A clean garden is a healthy garden. Keep your iris beds free of weeds and debris so the plants can absorb sunlight and nutrients. Healthy irises reward you with large, vibrant flowers. Using diatomaceous earth food grade regularly keeps pests under control and helps your garden flourish naturally.

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Diatomaceous Earth for Iris Gardens: Natural Pest Control

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Treat iris gardens with food‑grade diatomaceous earth to control borers safely and grow healthy, beautiful blooms without chemicals.

List of Plants that Attract Butterflies

Attract butterflies to your yard by planting a garden that will provide nourishment and shelter.  Butterflies will look for forage for the caterpillar stage and adult butterflies will seek nectar from various flowers.  If you provide the butterfly with their needs then butterflies will be attracted to your yard.

Planning a Butterfly Garden

Choose a large sunny area in your yard that has well-drained soil.  This is the area where you will provide the butterflies with a natural environment. 

Choose plants that will attract butterflies to your yard. Plant a variety of flowers with different bloom times. So you can attract butterflies all season. 

Plants that I grow in my butterfly garden

Asters, Autumn Joy Sedum, Asiatic lilies, Black-eyed Susan, Butterfly bush, Butterfly plant, Chamomile, Cardinal flower (red), Chives, Chicory, Chrysanthemum, Clover (white, yellow and red) Comfrey, Coreopsis, Cosmos, Crabapple flowers, Dandelion, Dill, Dogwood blooms, Echinacea Coneflowers, Evening Primrose, Fennel, Garden Mint, Happy returns day lily, Lavender, Lemon Balm, Lilac, Marigold, Meadowsweet, Milkweed,, Mimosa flowers, Parsley, Peony, Petunia, Purple Phlox, Red and Fuchsia Bee Balm, Sage, Sweet Pea, Sweet Autumn Clematis, Thyme, Valerian, Verbena, Yarrow,  Zinnias.

Photographs of a few flowers that grow in my garden

Coneflowers

Black-eyed Susan

Sweet Autumn Clematis

Bee Balm

Garden Mint

Happy Returns Daylily

Mimosa Flower

 

Many people view the dandelion as an invasive weed however the butterfly finds the nectar in this plant to be most desirable.  I recommend that you grow dandelions in a large container.  Set the container next to your butterfly garden.

Other plants that can be invasive are white clover.  I grow white, yellow, and red clover in my side yard as it is directly next to the woods and this area is primarily for the wildlife.  It is a good idea to grow clover in a container or raised garden bed, because if you sow seeds in the lawn, the clover will take over, and can become invasive. Plant a mixture of white, yellow, and red and it will be eye-appealing and fragrant.

Shelter from the Wind

Next, provide the butterfly with shelter from rain and the wind.   You may want to add a butterfly house or plant a large butterfly bush that will break the wind and protect the butterfly.

Making a Butterfly Pond

Clear a section of the garden for a butterfly pond. Remove the grass and dig a hole that is as deep and wide as a plant saucer.  Set the saucer in the center and firm the soil around it.  Fill the saucer with water and wet the dirt on the sides to form mud. The saucer of water will provide hydration and the mud will provide nutritious minerals for many insects.  Keep the soil in this area moist with slow-drip irrigation.

Tips:

Refrain from treating your yard and garden with insecticides as they will kill the caterpillar and butterfly by poisoning their forage.  A butterfly can be killed by resting on an insecticide-treated leaf.

Get a closer look at the butterflies by setting a garden bench next to the garden.
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