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ColorBlaze® Wicked Witch Coleus scutellarioides

Exposure
  • Sun or Shade
Flower Season
  • Spring
  • Summer
Mature Size
3'4" 3'
Height: 2' - 3'4"
Spread: 18" - 3'
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  • Details

    Features

    The plot THICKENS.

    Deep Burgundy to Chocolate foliage with a ruffled edge outlined in chartreuse with well-branched plants.  Sun to shade tolerant and great in both landscapes and containers. It is late to bloom, which helps preserve the foliage presentation throughout the season.

    Award Winner
    Adaptable As Houseplant
    Foliage Interest
    Heat Tolerant
    Deadheading Not Necessary

    Characteristics

    Plant Type: 
    Annual
    Height Category: 
    Tall
    Garden Height: 
    24 - 40 Inches
    Spacing: 
    18 - 24 Inches
    Spread: 
    18 - 36 Inches
    Foliage Colors: 
    Blue
    Foliage Shade: 
    Deep Burgundy to Chocolate with a chartreuse edge
    Habit: 
    Upright
    Container Role: 
    Thriller

    Plant Needs

    Light Requirement: 
    Sun or Shade

    The optimum amount of sun or shade each plant needs to thrive: Full Sun (6+ hours), Part Sun (4-6 hours), Full Shade (up to 4 hours).

    Maintenance Category: 
    Easy
    Bloom Time: 
    Grown for Foliage
    Hardiness Zones: 
    10a, 10b, 11a, 11b
    Water Category: 
    Average
    Uses: 
    Border Plant
    Uses: 
    Container
    Uses: 
    Landscape
    Uses: 
    Mass Planting
    Uses Notes: 

    Great in both landscapes and containers.

    Maintenance Notes: 

    Many people feel that coleus look best before they flower. We have worked hard to choose coleus that bloom late in the season or not at all. To keep foliage in top shape, pinch off the blooms as they appear if you wish.

    Growing Guide: Coleus

    Rules of Thumb for Overwintering Plants Indoors:

    1. Choose only healthy plants

    2. Bring Plants indoors before frost damages foliage

    3. Treat for disease and insects before bringing plants indoors

    4. Place in bright areas and add humidity using pebble trays or spray bottles

    5. Be careful not to over water

    6 When active growth starts in spring fertilize and prune as needed

    7. Introduce your plants slowly to outdoor conditions in spring

    An application of fertilizer or compost on garden beds and regular fertilization of plants in pots will help ensure the best possible performance.

  • 13 Reviews

    5
    12
    4
    1
    3
    2
    1
    Browse reviews from people who have grown this plant.
    • One of my must have plants, does great in full & part sun. Tried it in an almost full shade spot this yr & it was very slow growing, didn't get big like normal & changed to a green leaf with some purple in the middle.

      Jennifer
      , Florida
      , United States
      , 15 weeks ago
    • I bought 1 Wicked Witch Choleus in a 4 inch pot, and planted it in a little spot in my shade garden, among my various hostas and brunnera. It grew beautifully and prolifically, and covered nearly 4 of my hostas! This plant is a stunner, and i will purchase again next year!

      Lynette Lewis
      , Illinois
      , United States
      , 2 years ago
    • I bought 1 Wicked Witch Choleus in a 4 inch pot, and planted it in a little spot in my shade garden, among my various hostas and brunnera. It grew beautifully and prolifically, and covered nearly 4 of my hostas! This plant is a stunner, and i will purchase again next year!

      Lynette Lewis
      , Illinois
      , United States
      , 2 years ago
    • This is a very vigorous coleus. Beautiful in all regards. The problem is that it gets big and full and then breaks off in a wind or a dog accident. In ground if there is protection from other plants it does well. In a pot, it breaks off at the ground and starts again. My genius pot solutions is to plant it into a small plastic pot and then sink it into a much taller ceramic pot. The taller pot supports the plant and I get a generous display. Looks beautiful with a white mandevilla twining though.

      Peggie Who
      , California
      , United States
      , 3 years ago
    • I love these tall coleus in containers. I grew this on the north side of my house and it was fabulous. Requires no shaping to achieve the mound appearance and was free of insects and disease (as are most coleus). It's thirsty but it rarely wilted on me. I will grow this again next year.

      Brian Chandley
      , Massachusetts
      , United States
      , 3 years ago
    • This has really taken off! Beautiful and easy to care for.

      Betsy Kohut
      , Indiana
      , United States
      , 3 years ago
    • Never was a huge fan of coleus, until I found Wicked Witch. I have in 4 containers and no worries about placement! It holds up to sun or shade and is a stellar performer. My favorite combination is paired with Lemon Coral Sedum and Heart to Heart Caladiums. GORGEOUS!

      Jesse
      , Georgia
      , United States
      , 3 years ago
    • Never was a huge fan of coleus, until I found Wicked Witch. I have in 4 containers and no worries about placement! It holds up to sun or shade and is a stellar performer. My favorite combination is paired with Lemon Coral Sedum and Heart to Heart Caladiums. GORGEOUS!

      Jesse
      , Georgia
      , United States
      , 3 years ago
    • This is my first year growing coleus of any kind. Can you say "pandemic projects"? Wicked Witch is the most stunning and best-performing coleus out of those I tried to grow. Second place goes to Lemon Time, but I think it attracted a variety of pests that stunted its ability to shine. I couldn't get Neptune's Net to perform. I bet it would be happier in the sun. I grew all of my coleuses in the shade of hackberry trees. Bottom line, I'm going to grow this variety again next year.

      Jacob Palmer
      , Oklahoma
      , United States
      , 3 years ago
    • Wicked Witch coleus is easy to grow. Beautiful in containers as an addition or stand alone. Velvety leaves, dense growing. Oohs & ahhs from everyone. Show stopper.

      Toni Siergiej
      , Ohio
      , United States
      , 4 years ago
  • 21 Awards

    Award Year Award Plant Trial
    2021 Top Performer University of Minnesota - Morris
    2020 Top Performer University of Minnesota - Morris
    2019 Top Performer - Early Season Michigan State University
    2019 Top Performer Cincinnati Zoo and Botanical Garden
    2019 Top Performer Oregon State University
    2019 Top 12 Performer University of Florida - Fort Lauderdale
    2019 Perfect Score all Season Oklahoma State University Botanical Gardens
    2019 Leader of the Pack - Early Summer North Carolina State, JC Raulston Arboretum
    2019 Top 10 for Summer North Carolina State, JC Raulston Arboretum
    2019 Perfect Score all Season University of Minnesota - Morris
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  • 11 Recipes

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