Celosia argentea var. cristata Red Velvet - seeds

Celosia argentea var. cristata 'Red Velvet' is an annual Cockscomb with velvety deep red flowers. Its crimped and crisped, vibrant flowers are wide and voluminous on tall and sturdy, unbranched stems. They last a long time in a vase. The plant has good resistance to fungal diseases, Botrytis and Fusarium. Easy to grow in the sun, in well-drained and moist soil.

Celosia argentea var cristata is a herbaceous annual plant of the Amaranthaceae family native to tropical and temperate regions of America and Asia. It is cultivated for ornamental purposes, due to its unusual inflorescences resembling wavy crests, which have earned it the common name of Cockscomb. It is a tender perennial plant with a short lifespan. It likes heat and rich, moist, but well-drained soils.

The 'Red Velvet' Cockscomb has velvety flowers on tall stems ranging from 80 cm to 1.20 m. This astonishing flowering takes place in summer, from July to September, or even until the first frost depending on the sowing date. The plant develops a single, unbranched, ridged stem, with long triangular leaves which are pointed at the end, smooth, light green or sometimes tinged with red to violet. At the end of the stem, a compact, spreading, wavy or pleated inflorescence develops, often with a very velvety appearance. It consists of tiny petal-less flowers, with coloured bracts. Each inflorescence, sometimes reaching 20 cm in diameter, can last up to 8 weeks. Its colour lasts a long time and does not fade, even when dried. After pollination, seeds form and easily germinate in light soil.

Cockscombs are theatrical flowers, with a dramatic temperament that expresses itself well in floral compositions or in the heart of perennial beds and stands out in large pots on terraces. They enhance the simple blooms of field daisies and accompany the blue stars of asters or the delicate flowers of Cosmos. These plants are sensational when planted in groups of 3 to 5 in the middle of a carpet of ground cover plants such as Ceratostigma plumbaginoides with blue flowers or bunny's ears or Stachys with silvery velvety foliage. In a vase, do not put too much water and change it often to avoid stem rot.