James H. Schutte
Family
Amaranthaceae
Botanical Name
CELOSIA argentea( Plumosa Group, NEW LOOK SERIES)
Plant Common Name
Plume Cockscomb
Special Notice
This entry has yet to be reviewed and approved by L2G editors.
General Description
The colorful pyramidal plumes of cockscomb in the popular New Look Series make beautiful additions to annual borders and containers. These dwarf, bushy, warm season annuals may occasionally survive for a year or more in southern regions where winters are mild. They grow quickly from seed and have large leaves that may be green, purple-red, or bronze, depending on the selection. Their long-lasting flowers are dense, plume-like and comprised of many small bracted flowers of bright yellow, orange, pink or red. When the flowers age they begin to turn brown and should be removed to encourage more.
Plant these ornamentals in sites with full sun and average soil with good drainage, and enjoy them in any hot, sunny spot that needs strong summer color. The flowerheads of Celosia argentea may be used in fresh flower arrangements or dried as everlastings. Seed-eating birds are drawn to the small, shiny black seeds that rain down from the mature, dry seedheads, so it is good to let a few mature in fall.
Characteristics
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AHS Heat Zone
9 - 2
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Sunset Zone
5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24
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Plant Type
Annual
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Sun Exposure
Full Sun
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Height
8"-36" / 20.3cm - 91.4cm
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Width
8"-24" / 20.3cm - 61.0cm
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Bloom Time
Early Summer, Summer, Late Summer, Early Fall, Fall, Late Fall
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Native To
North America, Central America, South America, Middle Africa, Asia, Central Asia
Ornamental Features
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Flower Interest
Showy
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Flower Color
Yellow, Red, Orange, Pink, Ivory
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Foliage Color (Spring)
Red, Green, Purple, Bronze
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Foliage Color (Summer)
Red, Green, Purple, Bronze
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Foliage Color (Fall)
Red, Green, Purple, Bronze
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Fragrant Flowers
No
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Fragrant Fruit
No
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Fragrant Foliage
No
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Bark or Stem Fragrant
No
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Flower Petal Number
Single
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Repeat Bloomer
Yes
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Showy Fruit
No
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Edible Fruit
No
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Showy Foliage
Yes
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Foliage Texture
Medium
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Foliage Sheen
Matte
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Evergreen
No
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Showy Bark
No
Special Characteristics
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Usage
Dried Flower / Everlasting, Bedding Plant, Container, Cutflower, Mixed Border
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Sharp or Has Thorns
No
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Invasive
No
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Attracts
Birds
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Self-Sowing
Yes