Celosia Arrabona - Silver cock's comb

Celosia 'Arrabona' is also called Celosia argentea var. plumosa 'Arrabona'. This annual plant is small in size and compact in habit and produces large feathery spikes of incredibly vibrant red-orange colour. The flowering period is exceptionally long for this species. It is also a variety that is very tolerant to heat and drought. Its very uniform growth makes it ideal for containers and border plantings.

Celosia plumosa or Celosia argentea plumosa, also known as Velvet Flower by Mexicans, belongs to the Amaranthaceae family. The original species comes from Central and South America. A frost-sensitive plant, it is grown as an annual in our latitudes. The 'Arrabona' variety forms a very compact plant, small in size, with uniform growth, reaching a height of 35 cm (14in) with an equivalent width. From July to September, it produces an tireless and spectacular flowering of plumes with an upright flame-like habit. Their colour is exceptionally vivid: a fiery red-orange, visible from afar, that enlivens any border. The lanceolate and alternate leaves take on a green or purple hue.

The seeds of Celosia argentea plumosa 'Arrabona' have an excellent germination rate and are easily sown. The plant is then established in a sunny, well-drained soil. It is commonly positioned in borders, vegetable gardens, or pots. It can also be used to create fascinating fresh or dried bouquets, as the flower retains its beautiful colors. To dry the flowers, hang them upside down in a shady place for two months. In the garden or in pots, it can be combined with visually calmer plants, such as the Alchemilla mollis with its acid-green flowers.

Note: The leaves and seeds are used as food crops in Latin America. The plant also has medicinal properties, particularly for its hemostatic qualities (it stops bleeding).