[Bonanza]

Originally Posted by TCGirl

Up north coleus is usually a shade plant. Are there sun tolerant ones now? If you don't pinch it, it gets tall and straggly looking, if that's a word.

Actually, coleus does better with sun. In the shade much of their color looks faded.

Yes, they need to be pinched back when you see the almost insignificant flower forming.
Otherwise they do become "leggy" (I think that's the word you were looking for).

The reason so much coleus is planted is because it will withstand the sun and heat of the hottest months here.
Most other flowering annuals will die off.

I do think that pentas would also work and they come is a pretty array of colors.
Oh, well -- they didn't ask me!