Celosia cristata## HOW TO GROW CELOSIA Sow indoors 4-6 weeks before last frost in seed trays, about 1/4” deep in potting mix. Keep seedlings moist, but not too wet. Transplant after last frost. Space plants 12” apart. For direct seed sowing after last frost, sow a few seeds every 6” or so, and thin to 12” apart. After an initial Celosia flower harvest, plants will grow more flowers, slightly smaller than the first large ones, and will continue to send up flowers into the fall until frost comes. Celosia can be grown as a perennial in warm climates. Plants produce copious seeds if you’re interested in seed saving. Hardiness zones 9-12. Annual.Planting Depth 1/4"Days to Germ. 14Plant Spacing 12”Row Spacing 12”Days To Maturity 45-60Full Sun, Moist Well Drained Soil ##This jaw dropping fuschia flower will dazzle your garden with color. It makes an excellent dried flower and maintains its color for many months. It is beautiful in everlasting bouquets, wreaths, and garlic braids, and also in fresh bouquets. Bred for several decades by Kimberly Brown in Southern Oregon for its smaller head size and abundance of usable side shoots. More versatile for bouquets because the flowers are not top heavy. The crested cockscomb shaped flowers are velvety soft. Tags: Color: Fuschia, Size: Large, Shape: Dense, Specialty: Dried Flower, Season: Summer, Fall.This plant is in the Amaranth family, with origins to tropical and subtropical areas of Asia, Africa, and the America. “Celosia” comes from the Greek word, “kelos”, meaning “burned”, which likely refers to the red hues of the indigenous version of the plant. A crested version of the plant was introduced to Europe in the 1500s, and plant was made popular in the Victorian era. In the 1920s and 1930s, the plant was entered into state and county fairs to show off the largest crests (one flower crest was measured at 21”!).
