Globe Amaranth
Atomic Purple Gomphrena is a heat-loving annual that transforms garden spaces into waves of tiny, luminous purple blooms from midsummer through frost. This heirloom cultivar of Gomphrena globosa thrives in full sun and reaches maturity in 85 days, making it reliable for even shorter growing seasons. The flowers are remarkably long-lasting both on the plant and when dried, and they're equally at home in sunny borders, containers, or the cutting garden.
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Moderate
10-11
?in H x ?in W
Annual
Moderate
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What sets Atomic Purple apart is its rugged constitution and sheer profusion of blooms. This heat and drought-tolerant plant produces tidy, uniform flowers that dry beautifully for arrangements without losing their vibrant purple color. Beyond ornamental appeal, the flowers make a lovely purple-pink tea that has long been treasured in Asian traditions, adding a surprising layer of utility to an already rewarding ornamental.
Atomic Purple Gomphrena shines as a cutting flower, delivering long-lasting color for fresh arrangements and exceptional material for dried bouquets and wreaths. The flowers also brew into a distinctive purple-pink tea that's especially popular across Asia. In the garden itself, the plant serves beautifully in borders and landscapes, while its compact, uniform habit makes it exceptionally well-suited to container gardening.
Start seeds indoors in a warm location, maintaining ideal temperatures of 70 to 78 degrees Fahrenheit. Seeds will sprout in 5 to 14 days. Sow at a depth of 1/8 to 1/4 inch and keep soil consistently moist but not waterlogged during germination.
Transplant outdoors only after all danger of frost has passed and soil temperatures have warmed. Space transplants 10 inches apart. Harden off seedlings gradually to outdoor conditions before final planting.
Direct sow seeds outdoors after the last frost date when soil is warm, planting at a depth of 1/8 to 1/4 inch.
For fresh cutting, harvest stems when flowers are fully open and vibrant purple. For dried arrangements, cut entire stems when blooms are at peak color and hang upside down in a warm, dry location away from direct sunlight until papery-textured and completely dry. For tea, harvest flowers at their peak and dry thoroughly before brewing.
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