Fundamental Facts
HARDINESS: Tender
PREFERRED SOIL pH: Adaptable
PREFERRED SOIL TYPE: Average
PREFERRED LIGHT: Sun
ATTRIBUTES: Red, yellow, orange, or pink crested, plumed or spiked flowers; for beds
SEASON OF INTEREST: Midsummer to fell
FAVORITES: 'Castle' or 'Century' for plumed type; 'Prestige Scarlet' for red flowers, reddish leaves; 'Pink Candle' wheat celosia
QUIRKS: Individual flower clusters last for weeks in garden
GOOD NEIGHBORS: All summer annuals, from ageratum to zinnias
WHERE IT GROWS BEST: Warm summer regions in fertile, sun-drenched soil
POTENTIAL PROBLEMS: Spider mites, prolonged drought
CRITTER RESISTANCE: Good
SOURCE: Seeds
DIMENSIONS: 8-40 in (20.3-101.6 cm) tall, 12 in (30.5 cm) wide
Cockscomb in the Landscape
Cockscomb are custom made for places with hot, sunny summers. This varied group of easy-to-grow annuals enriches the garden with vibrant colors and unusual flower forms. The most versatile types, called plume celosias, develop upright, fluffy flower spikes shaped like candle flames in yellow, red, pink, apricot, and orange. Cockscomb celosias have the same color range and broad pointed leaves of the plume types, but the flowers resemble a rooster's comb. A taller, airier type, called wheat celosias, produces soft pink spikes that blend beautifully in the garden and make excellent cut flowers.
When designing annual flower beds, put each type of celosia to best use. Plume celosias bring an unusual color and texture to the garden, and yellow plumes in particular are fun to intersperse among flowers of various species to visually unify diversified plantings. Cockscomb celosias always attract attention, so grow them where their curious flowers are easily admired. Mass wheat celosias near the rear of sunny borders where they can work as a soft backdrop for other summer flowers.
Choice Cockscombs
Among plume types, the 'Castle' series is invaluable for its lush, feathery, 15 in (38 cm) tall flower spikes.The spikes of the 'Century' series are taller, to 20 in (50.8 cm), and are favorites of gardeners who gather and dry the plumes for winter flower arrangements. The strongest color in cockscomb celosias is a rich red, and varieties that also show red tinting in their leaves such as 'Prestige Scarlet' contrast beautifully with any yellow, white, or blue bedfellows. Wheat celosias such as 'Pink Candle' and 'Purple Flamingo' grow 3-4 ft
.(1-1.2 m) tall and have narrow leaves and smaller, more lightweight flower spikes. Naturally upright wheat cockscombs never need staking and can tolerate drier soil conditions than the other types.
Growing Cockscomb
Cockscombs are widely available as spring bedding plants, or you can sow seeds. Start seeds indoors 4 weeks before your last frost. Sprinkle them over moist seed-starting medium and barely cover the seeds. Keep the soil moist and at room temperature until the seedlings have several sets of mature leaves. Transplant or sow seeds directly in the garden about 2 weeks after the last frost. Cockscombs germinate best in temperatures above 65°F (18°C).Transplant or thin seedlings to 12 in (30.5 cm) apart. The stems of young seedlings are often the same color as the flowers they will produce, which is an advantage when placing them in the garden.
Give young plants enough water to keep the soil consistently moist. Celosias wilt if the soil becomes too dry, but water will quickly revive them. Fertilize plants once with a balanced, granular, controlled-release fertilizer, or fertilize monthly with a water-soluble plant food. Remove fading flowers to promote the development of fresh blossoms. Should red spider mites, minute sap-sucking spider relatives, feed on leaf undersides, giving them a webbed, pale, stippled appearance, rinse them off with forceful, daily sprays of water from a hose or apply insecticidal soap.
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