Solenostemon 'Black Dragon' (Coleus 'Black Dragon')

Botanical name

Solenostemon 'Black Dragon'

Other names

Coleus 'Black Dragon', Plectranthus scutellarioides 'Black Dragon', Solenostemon scutellarioides 'Black Dragon'

Genus

Solenostemon Solenostemon

Variety or Cultivar

'Black Dragon' _ 'Black Dragon' is a tender, compact, bushy, upright, woody-based, evergreen perennial, typically grown as an annual, with semi-succulent stems bearing triangular, pointed, lobed, velvety, dark purple leaves, bright magenta in the centre. Terminal, whorled racemes of small, tubular, two-lipped, violet-blue flowers bloom at any time of year.

Foliage

Evergreen

Habit

Clump-forming, Bushy, Compact

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Colour

Flower

Blue, Violet in All seasons

Foliage

Variegated, Dark-purple, Magenta in All seasons

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How to care

Watch out for

Specific pests

Scale insects , Mealybugs , Glasshouse whitefly

General care

Pruning

Pinch out young shoots regularly to maintain foliage colour and a compact shape. Remove emerging flower spikes to maintain bushy habit.

Propagation methods

Seed, Softwood cuttings

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Monthly care advice

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Where to grow

Solenostemon 'Black Dragon' (Coleus 'Black Dragon') will reach a height of 0.4m and a spread of 0.4m after 2-5 years.

Suggested uses

Containers, Conservatory, Beds and borders, Greenhouse, Indoor

Cultivation

Under glass, grow in loam-based compost in bright, filtered light. Water freely & feed every two weeks when in growth. Keep just moist in winter. Outdoors in frost-free areas, grow in humus-rich, moist but well-drained soil in shelter in sun or part shade

Soil type

Chalky, Clay, Loamy, Sandy (will tolerate most soil types)

Soil drainage

Moist but well-drained

Soil pH

Acid, Alkaline, Neutral

Light

Partial Shade, Full Sun

Aspect

South, East

Exposure

Sheltered

UK hardiness Note: We are working to update our ratings. Thanks for your patience.

Indoor heated (H1), Tender in frost (H3)

USDA zones

Zone 11, Zone 10

Defra's Risk register #1

Plant name

Solenostemon 'Black Dragon' (Coleus 'Black Dragon')

Common pest name

tomato thrips

Scientific pest name

Ceratothripoides brunneus

Type

Insect

Current status in UK

Absent

Likelihood to spread to UK (1 is very low - 5 is very high)

3

Impact (1 is very low - 5 is very high)

3

General biosecurity comments

Thrips present in Africa; the Caribbean and parts of Asia; frequently intercepted in the UK. Can cause significant damage to tomatoes and other crops in countries where it is present. Europe wide PRA will consider its potential to establish and cause damage.

About this section

Our plants are under greater threat than ever before. There is increasing movement of plants and other material traded from an increasing variety of sources. This increases the chances of exotic pests arriving with imported goods and travellers, as well as by natural means. Shoot is working with Defra to help members to do their part in preventing the introduction and spread of invasive risks.

Traveling or importing plants? Please read "Don't risk it" advice here

Suspected outbreak? Click here for contact details to report to the relevant authority.

Date updated: 7^th March 2019 For more information visit: https://planthealthportal.defra.gov.uk/