Foliage is underrated.

Gardeners, myself included, tend to swoon over beautiful blooms. Foliage, generally, is considered a sort of room divider in the garden - contrasting or complimenting blossoms and separating swaths of color. Foliage mostly comes in shades of green and silver, right?

Ah, but consider coleus.

These tender annuals throw out all the rules we think we know about foliage. Victorians loved coleus for their unusual colorations, patterns and leaf texture, and often used them for "carpet bedding." This is the technique of massing ornamental foliage plants (or flowering plants) into geometric or other patterns for effect.

Coleus makes an excellent accent plant in the landscape, as well as dramatic container foliage. With the wide range of colors and patterns, the foliage makes a nice underpinning for other plants, as well as solo performer.

The names themselves are descriptive and fun: "Electric Lime," "Black Magic," "Fishnet Stockings," "Kong Mosaic," "Freckles," "Pineapple," "Merlot," "Pistachio Nightmare," "Solar Furnace," "Duck Foot," "Dark Star," "Mardi Gras," "Limelight," "Red Ruffles" and "Kiwi Fern," to name just a few varieties. Colors range from light and bright to deep jewel tones, even black.

"Chocolate Mint" is an elegant new coleus on the market. Coleus is a tropical member of the mint family, so the name seems particularly appropriate. It is a medium-sized plant with dark chocolate leaves edged in mint green. It is best suited to shade gardens and large containers. Another new coleus, "Big Red Judy," has larger leaves in deep red and thrives in sun.

Which begs the question: "I thought coleus were shade plants?" Many coleus enjoy light to dappled shade, but many of the new hybrids are described as "Sun Coleus" and don't wither in direct sunlight. Remember to read the label - most will

designate whether the variety handles sun.

Another difference is that older coleus varieties send up tall stems with insignificant flowers. Most gardeners pinch off the flower, and if it is left to go to seed, the plant itself begins to fade. The new hybrids seldom flower. Many new coleus are being developed, many in the Midwest, which is good news for us.

Coleus are easy to grow from seeds, but many newer and better varieties are produced from cuttings. Naturally, they cost more because stock must be maintained at peak condition from one year to the next for the cuttings.

Coleus grow rapidly throughout the season. There are small varieties that reach 12 inches tall and others that are bushier and can reach up to 3 feet tall. There are varieties that are suitable for hanging baskets and others that can be left to sprawl.

The plants are disease- and pest-resistant but can be affected by aphids, mealy bugs and white flies, as well as stem and root rot. Pots or garden location should be well-drained; coleus don't like wet feet, but the plants should not dry out. In pots, make sure to water the plants more frequently.

Pinch young plants to encourage bushier growth. Experts recommend fertilizing monthly through mid-summer, using a half-strength liquid fertilizer.

Coleus is easily started from stem cuttings, so take as many as you like from your favorites before a killing frost.