Gardening Plant Encyclopedia Annual Trailing Coleus (Shade-Loving) By Viveka Neveln Viveka Neveln Instagram Viveka Neveln is the Garden Editor at BHG and a degreed horticulturist with broad gardening expertise earned over 3+ decades of practice and study. She has more than 20 years of experience writing and editing for both print and digital media. Learn about BHG's Editorial Process Updated on June 16, 2020 Share Tweet Pin Email In This Article View All In This Article Varieties Garden Plans Photo: Marty Baldwin This trailing coleus variety is low-maintenance and does well in containers or hanging baskets placed in shady spots. It also may thrive in your shade garden — place it at the front of your garden bed where the leaves can add colorful foliage to your landscape. Varieties of Coleus India Frills Coleus Marty Baldwin (Solenostemon 'India Frills') has deeply lobed narrow leaves with a chartreuse margin and maroon, magenta, and purple center splash. It grows in part or full shade. It trails to 1 foot. Telltale Heart Coleus Marty Baldwin (Solenostemon 'Telltale Heart') has heart-shape leaves with scalloped green edges and a deep purple-maroon center. It is slow to flower, so it needs little pinching or pruning to maintain its trailing shape. It trails to 18 inches. Garden Plans for Coleus Illustration by Gill Tomblin Illustration by Mavis Augustine Torke Janet Mesic Mackie Illustration by Mavis Augustine Torke Illustration by Mavis Augustine Torke Was this page helpful? Thanks for your feedback! Tell us why! Other Submit