PlantFiles Pictures: Coleus, Painted Nettle 'Neon Rose' (Solenostemon scutellarioides), 1 by DaleTheGardener

DaleTheGardener wrote:
Joan,

A question with no absolute answer!

I did a google image search for both names and got many pictures that are labelled as being 'neon' or 'neon rose', but the plants all look different, which just added to my confusion. I then went to coleusfinder.com and both names came up with different plants. I am assuming that SingingSrings has the true 'neon' pictured on that site, because the photo I submitted came up 'neon rose' on the Coleusfinder site. When in doubt I always trust Wouter's site, he's European (and percise). I don't think they are they same plant with similar names based on what I researched. I think they are different cultivars. I based my decision on the edge of the leaf and its coloring. 'Neon' has a very narrow sharp gold border. 'Neon Rose' has an edge that is broader and not as well defined. I am guessing that colorfarms (In Mn) photo is only showing two colors, gold and pink because of the climate and time of year of the photo. I am guessing that Rosy Dawn's (in MI) photo was taken during the summer because the leaf is showing three colors, gold edge with just a trace of pink in the center. Pink will turn to a 'red' in some coleus as they grow and temps warm. The photo on coleus finder from glasshouseworks looks like 'Defiance' and just confuses the ID process.

There is no authority, that I know about, to settle an issue that is so confusing. I will stick with my thoughts about looking at the shape of the color/edge of the leaf as the best indicator of different cultivars. That edge usually remains the same shape as the color regions of the leaf change. Neon appears narrow, Neon Rose broader and less defined.

If you do a google search you will see some photos that are definitely not Neon Rose and some that look similar to others. My experience is that sunlight and seasonal temps change the colors. The cooler the climate (new england plants never have the deep colors of the summer in the south plants) and low light levels (low light usually widens the border color, strong light usually widens the center color) can make the same plant look completely different. I have had that experience here in Tampa as the seasons change from steamy summers to cool dry winter. I also get huge differences when I plant a sun loving coleus in the shade.

I looked at the entry for 'neon' and it looks like a washed out 'neon rose'. It looks like a low light or very cool climate plant, but, to me a 'neon rose'. The entry in PlantFiles under 'Neon' just doesn't look at all like coleusfinder's.

This message was edited Feb 23, 2007 8:50 PM

This message was edited Feb 23, 2007 9:31 PM