Talk about exuberance — the coleus, Solenostemon 'Black Magic', went wild in this pot. The poor Dianthus knappii planted with it, didn't stand a chance. It bravely stuck its stems out where it could.

The other coleus, S. 'Brilliancy', held its own. This annual was a cutting from a plant I grew the previous year. If you never tried propagating by cuttings, start with coleus. They are easy to root, and you can bring back your favorite ones year to year.

At the top of the heap of foliage is a cutleaf birch, Betula pendula 'Trost's Dwarf'. It looks a little lost with all the brilliant magic going on below it.

Recipe

• Solenostemon 'Black Magic' (coleus)
• Solenostemon 'Brilliancy' (coleus)
• Betula pendula 'Trost's Dwarf' (cutleaf birch)