Need help in identifying plant

[align=left]I need help in identifying a plant.[/align]

[align=left]It stands about six inches tall with*the*petals (leaf?)*having a very dark red color. The petal themselves appear to be red velvet from a distance and have a velvet like texture when touched. More interestingly it has a yellowish to gold outline, about 1/8th inch wide,*that outlines each leaf. [/align]

[align=left]Each stalk is nested with four main petals with two very tiny petals blooming from the center. I'm guessing the petals on the inside are still blooming since these were freshly planted by someone.[/align]

[align=left]It has a twin with the same base descriptions except the petals are more of a yellowish color in the center with a green outline.[/align]

[align=left]The red one is absolutely beautiful and I would like to find out what its name is.[/align]

[align=left]Thanks!![/align]

[Newt]

Hi Trotter,

Without pics or even knowing where this plant is it would be impossible to say.* Is this plant in Hawaii, Montana, New Jersey, etc?* Please post a pic and location.

Newt

[align=left]I'm not sure if I can post a pic because I don't have a camera. But the plant is located in Virginia but I don't think that'll help much because it was planted by landscapers. So the plant could originate from anywhere imo.[/align]
[align=left]My boss suggested I just take a petal from it and take it to a local nursery. Maybe they'll be able to help me identify it.*But I was hoping that someone would be able to shed a little light to help me limit my search. Thanks.* =)[/align]

[Newt]

Hi Trotter,

You don't say if this plant is in sun or shade and I should have asked.* Three plants come to mind as possibilities.* One is Coleus.* They tend to prefer shade but there are new cultivars now that can survive in sun.* Take a look here and you will see that there are many, many variations on leaf color.* If memory serves me the stems are square and not round.
http://www.coleusfinder.org/pictures.php

Another would be Alternanthera of which there are several cultivars.
http://images.google.com/images?q=Al...=Search+Images

And last Persian shield - Strobilanthes
http://images.google.com/images?svnu...ld&btnG=Search

I'd love to know what the nursery says.
Newt

[align=left]Woohoo! It's a Coleus.[/align]
[align=left]I browsed the link you posted and found exactly the one I was describing. It's listed as being the "Cardinal".[/align]
[align=left]Thanks so much![/align]

[Newt]

You are so very welcome!* Coleus are easy to take cuttings from and root.* Once rooted you can keep it in a pot over the winter in the house.* Cuttings can be taken again in January and the plants planted out doors after all danger of frost has past.* Just be sure you aren't bringing any critters into the house by rinsing it well with water.
http://muextension.missouri.edu/xplo...ort/g06560.htm
http://www.bachmans.com/tipsheets/Annuals/coleus.cfm
http://www.gardengatemagazine.com/ex...usstandard.php

Newt