Celosia: Flamingo (C. argentea var. spicata)
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$1.00 - $5.60
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Summer annual (zones 3-8), or short-lived perennial (zones 9-11) grown as an ornamental for its distinctive, erect flower spikes sort of reminiscent of a sheaf of wheat that give it the common name of wheat celosia. It is also used as a leaf vegetable in tropical Africa, East and Southeast Asia and other places for the soft texture and mild spinach-like taste of the foliage.
Scientific Name: C. argentea var. spicata
Also known as: Cockscomb, crested cock's comb, prince of Wales feather, prince feather, wheat celosia, and red fox.
Ease of Growing: Easy
Grown as: Annual: 3-8
Perennial: 9-11
Maturity (Bloom): June to Frost.
Light: Full sun
Water: Medium. Consistently moist.
Soil Moisture: Medium. Well drained.
Attracts Beneficial Insects?: Yes. The flowers are visited by bees, wasps, butterflies, and occasionally hummingbirds.
Containers?: Yes
Height: 32”
Spacing: 12-15”
Sow Depth: 1/8"
USDA Zone: 3-11
Produces: long stems of bi-colored rose and deep pink flower spikes.
Garden Uses: Mass or group in beds, borders or cutting gardens. Edging. Good fresh cut or dried flower. Containers.
Also known as: Cockscomb, crested cock's comb, prince of Wales feather, prince feather, wheat celosia, and red fox.
Ease of Growing: Easy
Grown as: Annual: 3-8
Perennial: 9-11
Maturity (Bloom): June to Frost.
Light: Full sun
Water: Medium. Consistently moist.
Soil Moisture: Medium. Well drained.
Attracts Beneficial Insects?: Yes. The flowers are visited by bees, wasps, butterflies, and occasionally hummingbirds.
Containers?: Yes
Height: 32”
Spacing: 12-15”
Sow Depth: 1/8"
USDA Zone: 3-11
Produces: long stems of bi-colored rose and deep pink flower spikes.
Garden Uses: Mass or group in beds, borders or cutting gardens. Edging. Good fresh cut or dried flower. Containers.
Start seeds indoors 8 to 10 weeks before the last frost. Do not vover them with soil, since light inhibits their germination. Can also be sown outdoors after the last frost.
Germination temperature: 65 F to 70 F
Days to emergence: 14 to 21
Germination temperature: 65 F to 70 F
Days to emergence: 14 to 21
Transplant seedlings outdoors 12-15" apart in full sun after your last frost date. Make sure your soil is humusy, moderately fertile, consistently moist, well-drained, and has a pH of 6.6 - 7.5. Pinch back small plants to insure bushy fullness. May require staking.
For fresh cuttings, you should harvest celosia flowers when they are fully developed.
For dried flowers, simply remove the foliage and hang the flowers to allow them to dry.
For dried flowers, simply remove the foliage and hang the flowers to allow them to dry.
Celosia seeds can be found in the heads, between the velvety flowers. Once the blooms dry out, cut them off and hang upside down in bunches. When the seed heads are completely dry and crisp, lightly crush them with your hands and the seeds will fall out.
The leaves, young stems, and young flower spikes are handled like spinach. They go into soups and stews, and are served as a nutty-flavored side dish with meat or fish or more commonly with a cereal-based main course such as maize porridge. In some places the leaves are finely chopped and sprinkled into the cooking pot. The flavor is reportedly pleasant, mild, and entirely lacking the bitterness that sometimes spoils other leafy vegetables.
The flower and seed is astringent, haemostatic, ophthalmic, parasiticide and poultice. It is used in the treatment of bloody stool, haemorrhoid bleeding, uterine bleeding, leucorrhoea and diarrhoea. As a parasiticide it is very effective against Trichomonas, a 20% extract can cause the Trichomonas to disappear in 15 minutes. The seed is hypotensive and ophthalmic. It is used in the treatment of bloodshot eyes, blurring of vision, cataracts and hypertension, but should not be used by people with glaucoma because it dilates the pupils. The seed also has an antibacterial action, inhibiting the growth of Pseudomonas.
Project Purity Seeds can not take any responsibility for any adverse effects from the use of plants. Always seek advice from a professional before using a plant medicinally.
Plant with Amaranth, Cosmos, Dahlia, Zinnia, and Marigold.
Suggested Varieties
Amaranth: Love Lies Bleeding (Heirloom) (Amaranthus caudatus)
$1.00 - $5.60
As a decorative flower, Love-Lies-Bleeding grew in many Victorian English gardens; in the language of flowers, it represents hopeless love. In addition to producing lovely flowers, Love-Lies-Bleeding is a form of the grain-producing plant known as amaranth. A staple grain for the Aztecs and Incas, amaranth was referred to as the "golden grain of the gods" and used in religious rituals. The plant nearly died out when the Spanish Conquistadors declared their religious practices barbaric, and made growing amaranth a capital offense. Today, both the leaves and the seeds of amaranth are an important food source in many parts of the world. This unique grain provides an impressive amount of vitamins and minerals, as well as being very rich in protein.
Amaranth: Perfecta (Heirloom) (Amaranthus Tricolor 'Perfecta')
$1.00 - $5.60
This fast-growing, heat-loving plant originated in tropical Asia, where it is widely cultivated as a leaf vegetable. It bears large, elliptic or oval leaves on erect stems. The brightly hued new leaves fade gradually to medium green with deep maroon markings. This cultivar is spectacular from summer to frost. Insignificant clusters of green or reddish flowers appear at the stem tips and in the leaf axils in summer. Small capsules containing a single brown or black seed follow the flowers.
Amaranth: Red Garnet (Heirloom) (Amaranthus tricolor)
$1.00 - $5.60
Amaranth had a sacred status in the ancient civilizations of the Aztecs and Incas, since the grain was used in various religious rituals. It remains a staple food in modern Mexico and some parts of Asia, being prepared in numerous dishes from sweet to savory. One traditional Mexican treat known as "alegria" is made with amaranth grain and honey or molasses. A super grain, amaranth can be used for gluten free flour; it also makes a complete protein when mixed with another grain. In addition, amaranth greens have a higher iron content than any other green vegetable except parsley, as well as containing many valuable vitamins and minerals.
Cosmos: Bright Lights (Cosmos sulphureus)
$1.00 - $5.60
Because of their Mexican heritage, these bright annuals meet high heat and drought conditions with native beauty and vigor. Spanish conquistadors searching for gold discovered these flowers on their journeys through Mexico. Mission gardens often included these flowers, which priests gave the name “cosmos,” the Greek word for a harmonious whole, because of their neatly spaced petals. Cosmos flowers made their way to England with Spanish ambassadors in the late 18th century, and to the United States in the following century.
Cosmos: Candy Stripe (Cosmos bipinnatus)
$1.00 - $5.60
Only a few left!
Because of their Mexican heritage, these bright annuals meet high heat and drought conditions with native beauty and vigor. Spanish conquistadors searching for gold discovered these flowers on their journeys through Mexico. Mission gardens often included these flowers, which priests gave the name “cosmos,” the Greek word for a harmonious whole, because of their neatly spaced petals. Cosmos flowers made their way to England with Spanish ambassadors in the late 18th century, and to the United States in the following century.
Cosmos: Radiance (Cosmos bipinnatus)
$1.00 - $5.60
Because of their Mexican heritage, these bright annuals meet high heat and drought conditions with native beauty and vigor. Spanish conquistadors searching for gold discovered these flowers on their journeys through Mexico. Mission gardens often included these flowers, which priests gave the name “cosmos,” the Greek word for a harmonious whole, because of their neatly spaced petals. Cosmos flowers made their way to England with Spanish ambassadors in the late 18th century, and to the United States in the following century.
Marigolds: Naughty Marietta (Tagetes patula)
$1.00 - $5.60
For non-stop bloom until frost, there's nothing better than French marigolds. The single flowers are golden yellow with mahogany streaks, and are very attractive to bees and butterflies. Ideal for planting along borders, or among vegetables to deter pests. Also makes a perfect container plant for pots or window boxes. The deeply divided foliage forms a bushy mound up to 12 inches high.
Marigolds: Sparky Mix French (Tagetes patula)
$1.00 - $5.60
This easy-to-grow French marigold will bloom all season long. Compact mounds up to 12 inches tall will produce vivid bi-color orange and yellow flowers with an unusual form. This unique flower has wider, wavy petals that make these blossoms spectacular when planted en masse. A beautiful choice for containers as well as gardens.
Zinnia: Canary Bird (Zinnia elegans)
$1.00 - $5.60
This variety has large, 4-5 inch bright yellow dahlia-type flowers. Zinnias are easy to grow, and bloom quickly to fill your garden or patio with color all summer. They'll keep blooming all through a hot season, and make wonderful cut flowers. Butterflies and hummingbirds will be attracted to them too.
Zinnia: Cherry Queen (Zinnia elegans)
$1.00 - $5.60
Beautiful big red blossoms grow on three-foot high plants. Zinnias are easy to grow, and bloom quickly to fill your garden or patio with color all summer. They'll keep blooming all through a hot season, and make wonderful cut flowers. Butterflies and hummingbirds will be attracted to them too.
Zinnia: Exquisite (Zinnia elegans)
$1.00 - $5.60
A unique and colorful Zinnia that offers a range of shades. Exquisite Zinnia is an easy to grow annual that blooms bright red and fades to soft rose pink as the blooms age. Definitely a favorite of gardeners, florists, or anyone who loves cut flowers.
Zinnia: Luminosa (Zinnia elegans)
$1.00 - $5.60
These big 4-5 inch blooms are bright pink. Zinnias are easy to grow, and bloom quickly to fill your garden or patio with color all summer. They'll keep blooming all through a hot season, and make wonderful cut flowers. Butterflies and hummingbirds will be attracted to them too.
Zinnia: Orange King (Zinnia elegans)
$1.00 - $5.60
Large, bright orange blooms grow on this cheery variety. Zinnias are easy to grow, and bloom quickly to fill your garden or patio with color all summer. They'll keep blooming all through a hot season, and make wonderful cut flowers. Butterflies and hummingbirds will be attracted to them too.
Zinnia: Polar Bear (Zinnia elegans)
$1.00 - $5.60
When Zinnias were introduced to Europeans, the flowers were referred to as 'poorhouse flower' and 'everybody's flower' because they were so easy to grow. They were also once popularly called 'youth and old age' because old blooms stay fresh as new blooms open. Years of breeding have brought striking new colors, shapes, sizes, and growing habits to the humble zinnia. No present day gardener would ever describe this versatile bloomer as anything less than eye catching. Zinnias may have fell out of favor for a while with home gardeners, but now they are back in fashion with a vengeance. They are extremely easy to grow from seed and are the perfect flower for beginners. They provide color from mid-summer to autumn and are perfect for cutting. Zinnias are a favorite flower of both gardeners and florists around the world.