July 5, 2012

Flowering Ornamental Foliage

I found these deliciously bright flowering plants in the garden around my friend Lily's home in the countryside of Hong Kong. On a wet, gray day the vibrant purples, reds and greens jumped out at me. I don't often see them in bloom.

 Hong Kong, 2012

Solenostemon scutellarioides is a species of perennial plant, commonly called Coleus or Painted Nettle. 





I am linking with lovers of flowers at Floral Friday Foto, Flowers on Saturday and Weekend Flowers. Thanks to the hosts of these memes and all the participants for all the lovely eye candy.

14 comments:

Luna Miranda said...

coleus, we call it lampunaya in ilonggo, is a very useful plant. the leaves are used for wounds, bruises and what-not. i used to hear the elders say that a girl needs to plant lampunaya in her garden when she marries a drinker.:p i hope not to poison him! LOL

Libby said...

I like coleus...I never knew the leaves were useful though! I have always wanted to go to Hong Kong :)

Unknown said...

Just like what Luna had said it is useful plant. My mother had many varieties of this and in my province (Mindanao) we call it "Mayana". ^_^

Mary, MI

Pat Tillett said...

Very nice! I know next to nothing about plants and flowers, but I sure like looking at them!

Sallie (FullTime-Life) said...

Beautiful coleus plants! I'd almost forgotten about them.

Tina´s PicStory said...

thanks for your beautiful weekend flowers! :)

Modern Mom said...

I see a lot of coleus around but I didn't know they have such beautiful flowers.

Coxcomb Rose

Unknown said...

Beautiful and colorful. Have a lovely weekend!

Karen @ Pieces of Contentment said...

I've not looked closely at a coleus flower for as you say they are better known for their foliage. Your last photo shows how beautiful the foliage can be, the green looking like lace around the beetroot red.

Meeha Meeha said...

Aaaaaah, wonderful flowers! I love the unusual color combo, it's wild and enchanting! Thank you for visiting my picnic on the floor :)

Traveling Hawk said...

This is a pot only plant in my country!

Anita Johnson said...

I love coleus too...found it to be wonderful in containers...almost like having continuous blooms in color!

Ewa said...

I've seen the flower before, but never new the name

Anonymous said...

Hope to find other coleus or 'mayana' variants to add in our own garden. These are all beautiful, but I'm loving the red and red+green ones. =)