
One of my most popular posts of late was Floral Spike. After reading all the comments from avid gardeners, I decided to allow my Coleus to spike even if that led to the plant’s death. My reasons were that it would likely die in the winter and that the spikes attract butterflies, hummingbirds and bees. I managed to snap this busy little bee foraging. Texas bees were ravaged by the February Freeze – about 25% died. This particular Coleus does look a little sad but she has fed so many garden visitors.

The Honey Bee, Apis mellifera Linnaeus, is upside down in the spike, trying to avoid my nosy gaze. In the last few weeks my other Lime Green and Maroon Coleus has also started to spike.
It almost looks like a Texas bluebonnet but the Coleus spikes are often blue. Like the other Coleus, I shall allow it to spike and feed our garden friends.
This Coleus grew from a tiny plant pot to this verdant bush in just 6 months and is still popping out little ones at the back. Being part lizard, I feel that winter has arrived and I am sitting with a fleece in front of the gas fire. It is 77 F outside…
Lovely pics Kerry. Love honeybees. I can stare at them for a long time. The lime coleus on of my favorites. Hope you are well and spreading your sunshine in your part of the world.
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Thank you, Joseph. I am well but not actively spreading sunshine! ๐ K x
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Glad to see the bees are back in your beautiful garden๐
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There is at least one…๐ Thank you, Christie.
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These are lovely plants, Kerry. Glad to see they are being visited by some of your insects.
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Thank you, Tanja. They are inexpensive plants from the supermarket but grow wonderfully well in this climate.
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Lovely plants Kerry. Hope you enjoy attracting the bees. I love to watch them from afar and still run when they come near๐คฃ
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Our bees are completely different from those in the UK. Chill, relaxed and enjoying the heat…๐
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Nature provides a beauty we cannot duplicate. ๐ฟ๐ฑ๐
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So true…thank you, Gail. ๐ธ๐ธ๐ธ
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You’ve got to love its vividly coloured foliage and how the leaves are situated directly opposite one another! Apparently, you can grow them indoors year-round, you just have to find a windowsill or other spot in your home that gets direct sunlight in the morning and is bright, filtered like in the afternoon. Thanks for sharing and have a lovely day ๐ Aiva xx
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Aren’t they perfect, Aiva? The color combination is almost fantastical. Our township planted Coleus in all the beds this year and let them all spike. Happy Bees! K x
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Hi Kerry,
Those look amazing! No wonder they are attracting little friends!
Blessings! โฅโฅ
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I would love to have an outfit in lime and maroon but I doubt it would suit my coloring. Have a lovely weekend, Ana. ๐ฅฐ
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You would look great in any color ๐
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Awww, thank you! ๐
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It’s always good to have a garden that attracts bees and birds.
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Our garden attracts everything…possums, skunks, rats, owls, foxes. LOL!
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Fantastic pictures, Kerry! ๐
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Thank you so much, Pit. Have a lovely weekend – the weather is great! ๐
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I didn’t know that letting it spike or go to seed? would kill the plant. The coleus bush is quite amazing.
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I googled it, Ruth, because I had never seen a spike. There was a difference of opinion… Mine always die in the winter anyway so I think of it as lettuce for bees!! Thank you – the Coleus loves that spot,
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