Celosia Kelos Fire Orange - Silver cock's comb

The Celosia Kelos Fire Orange is a compact and highly floriferous variety of feathery celosia in summer. Its inflorescences, which resemble flames both in shape and in reddish-orange colour, crown a beautiful cluster of leafy stems in a vibrant green that perfectly highlights them. A tender perennial, this plant is grown as an annual in a sunny location, in rich and moist soil. It adds a real panache to flower beds, borders, and flower pots! To accompany it, choose plants with a more restrained appearance, with light flowers and foliage.

The Feathery Cockscomb, scientifically known as Celosia argentea plumosa, is also called the Velvet Flower. It belongs to the Amaranthaceae family and is a relative of both fox-tail amaranths and beets. The wild species is native to Central and South America. A tender herbaceous perennial, it is cultivated as an annual in our latitudes. It has given rise to numerous cultivars, including the Plumosa group, with feathery flowers, to which the Kelos Fire Orange variety belongs.

In just 9 to 10 weeks, the Celosia Kelos Fire Orange forms a cluster of leafy stems that barely reach 40 cm (16in) in height, with a spread of 45-50 cm (18-20in). The flowering, which is spectacular, begins in June-July and continues until September. At the tips of the stems, conical spikes shaped like plumes emerge above the foliage. They consist of small flowers surrounded by feathery bracts in vivid and vibrant colours. These shimmering spikes create an eruption of colours with an uncommon vivacity, capable of energizing any flower bed. The leaves of the celosia are large, with a tangy green colour. They are broad and lanceolate, arranged alternately on the stems, and edible.

The Celosia Kelos Fire Orange is perfect for fresh or dried bouquets, especially since the flower retains its beautiful colours for a long time. To dry the flowers, hang them upside down in a shady place for two months. In flower beds, borders, or large flower pots, you can associate it with ivy, common lady's mantle, or fennel, which will enhance its plumes and temper its flashy colors. You can also mix different varieties of feathery celosias, playing with colours.

The leaves and seeds are used as vegetables in Latin America. The plant also has medicinal properties, particularly as a hemostatic (it stops bleeding).

Note: Please be aware that our young plug plants are professional products intended for experienced gardeners: upon receipt, transplant and store them in sheltered areas (veranda, greenhouse, cold frame) at a temperature above 14°C (57.2°F) for a few weeks before placing them outdoors once the risk of frost has passed.