Celosia argentea var. cristata Forest Fire seeds - Cockscomb flower

Celosia 'Forest Fire' is a flamboyant cultivar of Celosia argentea var. cristata, appreciated for its compact habit and its shiny flowering, scarlet red plumes, carried by crimson red stems and red bronze green foliage. Throughout the summer, this annual adds a touch of colour to your flowerbeds, borders, and containers. Its brilliant flowering, with 10 to 14 flowers per plant that can last up to 8 weeks, allows you to create beautiful bouquets. The plant tolerates heat and drought well. Its sowing and cultivation are easy.

Celosia argentea var cristata, also called Velvet Flower by Mexicans, belongs to the Amaranthaceae family. It is a frost-sensitive plant grown as an annual.

The 'Forest Fire' variety reaches up to 75 cm high by 40 cm wide. It easily finds its place in a border or in a container. It adds colour to your compositions with its red flowers that bloom from June to October. They are notably carried by bright red stems. They are nectar-rich and attract bees and butterflies. Its green bronze turning red foliage completes the show. The leaves of young plants are generally green, the colouration appears over time, especially when the plant benefits from sunny exposure and warmth.

The flowers of 'Forest Fire' can be used in fresh or dried bouquets as they retain their beautiful colour. To dry them, hang them upside down in a shaded place for two months. In the garden or in a pot, pair them with yellow-flowered lantanas like Evita Yellow or white-flowered Woodland Sages Bumblesnow.