Coleus

THE VICTORIANS loved to plant the colorful, bright-leaved coleus in their carpet beds, delighting in the colors of the leaves -- from chartreuse, burgundy, and bronze to copper, pink, white, and light green. In fact, some of the most popular garden designs used nothing else.

Downgraded to a dowdy houseplant in recent decades, the coleus is being rediscovered as an outdoor plant. Prized for its ability to grow in semishaded areas and lend exotic texture to the border, it has inspired new varieties for full sun as well. 'Burgundy Sun' and 'Plum Parfait' are new sun-lovers that have tested well in such steamy places as El Paso and Houston, Texas.

Start seeds indoors six to eight weeks before the last frost date. Set seedlings outdoors after all danger of frost has passed (these tropical plants require warm temperatures to grow and prosper). Keep plants pinched back to encourage full, bushy growth. New plants can easily be started from cuttings.