Celosia
Annual

Light: sun
Height:  4 to 36 inches
Width:  4 to 18 inches
Flower Colors: white, pink, and vivid shades of yellow, red, orange
Bloom Time: summer - fall

Special Features:
Containers
CutFlowers
Drying
Easy to Grow
Flowers

Companion Plants
Petunias

Celosia is an annual that produces two types of flowers in a wide range of mostly warm colors such as red, orange, yellow, pink, and white, from midsummer to frost. Plumed forms are loose and feathery, while crested types produce tightly-clustered, fanlike flower heads that resemble a rooster's comb. Available in dwarf, medium, and tall sizes, both forms are good additions to beds and containers. Smaller varieties can be used as edgings. All cockscombs make excellent cut or dried flowers. Foliage is generally glossy light green with some varieties producing variegated or purple leaves.

Notable Varieties
'Century Mixed' grows 2 feet tall and bears plumed blooms in a variety of colors.
'Fireglow' is a red, crested variety that grows 20 inches tall.
'Geisha' is a plumed type, dwarf type, 10 inches tall.
'Kimono' is 4 to 6 inches tall and bears plumed mixed or single color flowers.
'Toreador' grows 20 inches tall and produces red crested flowers.

Care
Likes rich, fertile, well-drained soil with moderate moisture. Mulch to conserve moisture. Fertilize by working in compost two or three times during the season or by applying a slow-release fertilizer, following label directions exactly. Deadhead regularly to encourage heavy blooming.

Planting
Harden off plants well before planting outside in spring after all danger of frost has passed. This involves setting seedlings outside in the shade for a few hours, gradually increasing the the amount of time and sun exposure each day. Pinch the tops to encourage bushiness. Or start from seed by planting directly in the garden, barely covered, in full sun. Or, start indoors four weeks before last frost at 65 to 75 degrees F. then move outside before plants bloom. In the garden, space 4 to 18 inches apart.

Pests and Diseases
Spider mites can cause problems in dry weather. Hose off to reduce populations. Root rot a problem in poorly-draining sites.