Helping You Become a More Successful Gardener
Plant Search
Jesse Saylor
Amaranthaceae
Amaranthus tricolor 'Early Splendor'
Clusters of brilliant rose-pink new leaves crown the tall stems of this cultivar of Joseph's coat. A large annual grown in flower gardens for its colorful plumage, Joseph's coat originated in tropical Asia, where it is widely cultivated as a leaf vegetable.
This fast-growing, heat-loving plant bears large, elliptic or oval leaves on erect stems. The brightly hued new leaves fade gradually to deep maroon. This relatively early cultivar is spectacular from early 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. Plants sometimes self-sow.
Joseph's coat performs best in sun and well-drained soil. It is best sown in place after the soil warms, but can also be started earlier in a warm greenhouse. Mature plants are drought tolerant but grow and flower better if watered during dry spells. This annual thrives in subtropical and tropical regions. Its jaunty leaves lend a bright tropical look to containers and borders. They also make a colorful garnish for salads.
12 - 5
H1, H2, 1a, 1b, 2a, 2b, 3a, 3b, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24
Annual
Full Sun, Partial Sun
3'-4' / 0.9m - 1.2m
2'-3' / 0.6m - 0.9m
Summer, Late Summer, Early Fall
Southern Asia
Acidic, Neutral, Alkaline
Well Drained
Loam, Sand
Fast
Average Water
Upright/Erect
Summer, Fall
Insignificant
Green
Tan, Black
Red, Green, Pink, Burgundy, Bronze
Red, Green, Pink, Bronze
No
Single
Yes
Bold
Matte
Bedding Plant, Container, Cutflower, Feature Plant, Mixed Border, Tropical
Birds
© 2006-2012 Preferred Commerce. All Rights Reserved.