Celosia
Good for fresh bouquets and everlasting arrangements. From the Greek keleos, ‘blazing,’ a reference to their brilliance. Commonly appear in three groups, cristata (crested, fancifully known as brains), plumosa (plumed) and spicata (with spikes or pointed). All share blazing colors, furry textures and unusual shapes. Known as ji quan hua in China where both seeds and flowers are used for blood diseases, bleeding and urinary tract infections.
Culture: From the Southern Hemisphere, at their best in hot dry weather. Should germinate within 10 days at 72–80°.
Flowers
All flowers are annuals except where noted. All flowers are open-pollinated except where noted.
Days in parentheses after a variety indicate days to first bloom.
