464 FLOWERS OF GARDEN AND GREENHOUSE 



general plan, however, is to make cuttings when the plants are cut back 

 after flowering. These should be 4 or 6 inches long, and should be 

 inserted in pots of sandy soil plunged in bottom heat. The climbers do 

 not root so readily as the shrubby kinds. 



Natural Order Labiate. Genus Coleus 



CoLEUS (Greek, koleos, a sheath, from the filaments of the stamens 

 uniting at the base and forming a sheath for the style). A genus of 

 tender herbs, some with perennial base, and a few shrubby. The stems 



as is usual throughout the Order — are square, the leaves opposite or 



in whorls of three. The flowers also are in whorls — of about six — but 

 are small, inconspicuous, and not regarded horticulturally, though 

 important botanically. The calyx is bell-shaped, tive-toothed, or two- 

 lipped, bending back when in fruit. Corolla tubular with two lips, the 

 upper cleft into three or four, and the lower entire, concave, often en- 

 closing the four stamens. The species are natives of Tropical Asia and 



There are few reliable records concerning the introduc- 

 tions of species. Coleus harhatus appears to have been the 

 first, from Abyssinia in 1806 ; but as this is not one possessing variegated 

 foliage, it scarcely counts in the present work. C. Blumei was the first of 

 the blotched-leaved species, and this was introduced from Java somewhere 

 about 1830. At a later date came C Veitchii and C. Gibsoni from the 

 Pacific Islands, and by crossing G. Blumei with these, the brilliant tribe 

 of Hybrid Coleus has been produced. As it is only from these that the 

 genus possesses any importance in the gardener's eyes, we content our- 

 selves with a description of Blume's Coleus. The hybrids and their 

 \'arieties are well-nigh endless, and every year sees important accessions 

 to the list, there being apparently no limit to the shuffling of the spots 

 and blotches on the leaves. 



Coleus Blumei (Blume's). Stems 1 to 1| foot high. 

 "Leaves oval, deeply cut and coarsely-toothed ; the central 

 portion reddish purple surrounded by yellowish green, upon which are 

 smaller purple spots. Flowers small, white and purple. The var. 

 Verschaffeltii has rich crimson velvety leaves. Perennial. The first 

 batch of beautiful forms of Coleus originated in gardens were raised in 

 the gardens of the Royal Horticultural Society at Chiswick about 



