COLUMN: Velvet gems – celosia in the garden

An annual flowering bedding plant that you might try this summer is the celosia.

Coming in three forms — plume, cockscomb and wheat — this highly colorful and heat-tolerant annual flower is a must. The velvety texture and neon-bright colors are a visual delight in any planting bed or container.

Celosias are part of the amaranth family which includes many ornamental relatives. These annuals can be purchased locally as ready-to-plant transplants or started from seed.

Some may take up to 90 days to reach the flowering stage, but this is no problem as we have a long, hot summer. Start these summer annuals in peat pots — several seeds to a pot.

Once the plants have several true leaves pinch out all but the best specimen leaving only one per pot — don’t save any extras as they do not transplant well.

Depending on the ultimate size and purpose of the celosia, plant seedlings from 10 to 12 inches apart for small cultivars, and up to 16 inches apart for larger types.

Celosia can also be directly seeded into a full sun garden featuring well-drained soil — follow label planting directions for more details. As they grow, ruthlessly thin our extra seedings until they are properly spaced for best growth.

Direct-seeded celosia reportedly have larger flowering heads. For small spaces, consider celosia in pots for movable color and texture.

Probably the most commonly grown celosia is the plume-like form. Coming in colors of yellow, red, and orange, the unnaturally bright flame-like blooms top the 8-to-24-inch green leafy plant.

This long-lasting flowerhead is made up of individual spikes of feathery flowers arranged in a pyramidal, tree-like pattern. The so-called cockscomb or crested celosia is very different in appearance and looks like an odd-shaped velvety brain — almost coral-like in appearance.

The fan-like, fascinated flowers do look like a rooster’s comb. They can become so heavy that staking is required. The third form of celosia is called wheat — increasingly popular in many gardens.

Wheat types send out a flowering spike that reminds you of colorful pink or pinkish-red heads of wheat — one called “Flamingo Feather” is commonly available. This type also has edible leaves when young.

The dwarf types of all forms of celosia make excellent bedding plants especially when installed in a mass planting almost like a groundcover.

Taller types make good cut flowers as well as dried flowers for fall arrangements — red varieties do the best for drying as they hold their color.

Some of the tall varieties may require staking, so keep this in mind as they mature. Celosia is an approved Florida-Friendly Landscaping plant suitable to our area and summer climate, and — at least the wheat form celosia — is not a problem species according to the UF/IFAS Assessment of Non-Native Plants in Florida’s Natural Areas.

Finding summer-tolerant bedding annuals is sometimes difficult but be assured that celosias will thrive and provide some quirky color this upcoming season.

For more information on all types of flowering annuals, or to ask a question, or to ask a question, you can also call the Master Gardener Volunteer Helpdesk from 1-4 p.m. Mondays, Wednesdays, and Fridays from 1-4 p.m. at 941-764-4340 for gardening help and insight into their role as an Extension volunteer.