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I bought this at an unmanned roadside stall, and there was no name. It was just four or five bright orange leaves big at that time in early May. It has now grown to be at least 75cm high and wide and the leaves are turning a darker red (though there is still some orange present). I think it's an annual plant that won't survive the winter (at least not in the Dutch climate) as the rest of the stall was filled with things like petunia, fuchsia, and lobelia, which also don't survive winters here.

I really like it and would like to be able to buy one next year, even if that same roadside shop doesn't offer one. So what is this called?

A picture showing the orange-red leaves and flowers

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It is coleus!
The shape of leaves, colour and the flower stick confirms it's a coleus.

There's a lot of varieties of coleus of different colours and shape. This may be Big Red Judy or Color Blaze Sedona Sunset or something other that I don't know.

You can help the plant survive winters, take them indoors. This or this article can help you or just google it.

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  • 2
    Wow, this is barely recognizable from the common older varieties. Go plant breeders!
    – kevinskio ♦
    Sep 29 at 14:39
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    @kevinskio some colour, right?
    – Spectra
    Sep 29 at 15:26
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    @ChrisH I dunno what is considered leggy for a plant, but this is the whole thing. It has taken over pretty much the entire pot, I didn't realize it would get that big. I'm definitely going to try and get some seeds and cuttings to propagate over winter, so I'll hopefully have something to plant in the middle of the pot(s) (instead of on the side) next year :)
    – Tinkeringbell
    Sep 29 at 19:43
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    @Spectra I've read about how easy they grow roots, yes. Biggest hurdle here will probably be getting them enough light through the winter. Last winter my houseplants basically withered away because my living room has north facing windows and some sort of roof outside blocking even more light... can't put them in the bedroom as that gets too cold, and I refuse to buy special lamps and waste a bunch of energy XD
    – Tinkeringbell
    Sep 30 at 14:45
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    @Tinkeringbell Wow, saving energy is cool! Let's hope for the best. Don't forget to comment here at the end of winter, we would love to see it again :D
    – Spectra
    Oct 1 at 12:35

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