Gomphrena pulchella Truffula Pink

Gomphrena 'Truffula Pink', also known as amaranth, enriches the range of annuals with its long flowering season of small intense pink pompoms. The well-branched plant forms a lovely clump with long leaves that appears crowned by a cloud of dancing flowers for weeks, without requiring much maintenance. It is an ideal variety for floral compositions, both in pots and in the ground. It only needs sun and well-drained soil that is not too rich to thrive.

Gomphrena 'Truffula Pink' belongs to the Amaranthaceae family. Its ancestor, Gomphrena pulchella, is a shrubby plant with a woody base and herbaceous stems. It is native to South America (northern Argentina, Bolivia, Brazil, Paraguay, and Uruguay) and was introduced to Mexico. It is a perennial plant, but not very hardy, as its stump dies below -3°C (26.6°F). For this reason, it is cultivated as an annual plant in our climate. The 'Truffula Pink' selection, which is more compact and branched than the wild type, forms a bushy clump of about 50cm (20in) in all directions in just a few months. Its stems bear narrow lanceolate leaves measuring 5 to 8cm (2 to 3in) long and are green in colour. In our climate, it can flower continuously from spring to the first frost, from April to October. Floral stems emerge from the foliage, bearing globular inflorescences in the shape of pompoms. The flowers are composed of numerous fuchsia-pink petals and golden-yellow stamens. They attract bees and butterflies. Where there is no frost, the foliage persists in winter.

Gomphrena 'Truffula Pink' will express its charm and generosity both in the garden and in containers on a patio. You can even bring them indoors as fresh or dried bouquets. Along the edge of a flower bed, plant it with cerastium, aubrietas, and Nepeta mussinii, for example. It will also go well with sages (perennial or shrubby) and perennial geraniums. In a planter, its small pink pompoms will create a beautiful contrast with the dark foliage of certain ipomoeas. It can also be planted with a carex and a calibrachoa in a planter.

Like some of its relatives in the Amaranthaceae family, you can use the 'Truffula Pink' amaranth in dried compositions. Indeed, amaranthus means "that does not wither" in Greek. To preserve them in their most flattering form, cut them as soon as the flowers appear and turn pink. They will thus retain their evocative shape and colour.