Gomphrena haageana QIS Mix seeds - Rio Grande globe amaranth

The Amaranthoid QIS mix, Latin name Gomphrena haageana and also known as Scarlet Amaranth or Strawberry Amaranth, is a lovely annual with a summer flowering, featuring flowers that resemble small strawberries. This selection of the globosa and haageanna types includes flowers in white, pink, red, and the rare scarlet orange variety. The flowers are borne on tall, sturdy stems of 75 cm. They can be used to create bouquets from July to September and can extend the season when dried.

This tall Amaranthoid is best placed in the middle of a border. Given its habit, its effect will be more pronounced when planted in groups. The plant has multiple upright stems, each bearing a single, globose flower at its top. The lanceolate, elongated leaves are rather small (5 cm) and attached close to the stem (sessile). The visual impact will therefore come from several plants. This mix of vivid colours, complemented by green foliage with a slightly bluish tinge towards grey, will naturally fit into a setting of varied colours, but will also brighten up a more neutral background. Amaranthoid originates from Central America and prefers a sunny exposure.

Like some of its relatives in the Amaranthaceae family, it can be used in dried arrangements. Indeed, Amaranthus means in Greek: "that does not wither". To keep them looking their best, you can cut them as soon as the flowers appear and begin to colour; this way, they will retain their evocative shape and colour.

This "strawberry amaranth" is just as expressive in the garden as it is in a container, on a terrace, or even indoors, in fresh or dried bouquets.