Jesse Saylor
Family
Amaranthaceae
Botanical Name
CELOSIA argentea
Plant Common Name
Celosia
General Description
The colorful floral plumes, feathery spikes or dense "brainy" crests, of cockscomb and plume celosia make beautiful additions to annual borders, cutting gardens and containers.
These bushy annuals may occasionally survive for a year or more in southern regions where winters are mild. They grow quickly from seed and have foliage that can be bright green, purple-red or bronze, depending on the cultivar. Their long-lasting flowers are comprised of many small bracted flowers that can be bright yellow, orange, pink, purple, ivory or red. There are many cultivars and varieties, such as the apricot-plumed 'Apricot Brandy' and dwarf crested members of the Olympia series.
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, Purple, Orange, Pink, Lavender, Ivory
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Foliage Color (Spring)
Green
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Foliage Color (Summer)
Green
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Foliage Color (Fall)
Green
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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