Thompson's Superb Feathered Mix is a stunning heirloom celosia that brings feathery, plume-like flower heads to the summer and fall garden. Growing to a statuesque 4 feet tall with a narrow, columnar habit, this variety produces flowers across a captivating range of colors from seed, offering the garden a natural mix of shades from June through November. Thriving in full sun across zones 10-11, it reaches bloom stage in 84-98 days from seed, making it a rewarding choice for gardeners who enjoy watching a landscape unfold from the ground up. Its ability to attract pollinators makes it as much a wildlife garden as a visual one.
Full Sun
Moderate
10-11
48in H x 12in W
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High
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The feathered plumes that give this celosia its name are nature's confetti; they emerge in a symphony of colors when you sow from this mixed seed lot, creating an unpredictable and delightful garden tapestry. The tall, slender growth habit means you can tuck multiple plants into narrow spaces or use them as a living screen without dominating the garden's architecture. Blooming reliably for nearly six months in warm climates, it provides continuous color when most perennials have faded, and its ability to attract pollinators transforms it into a working garden asset, not just a pretty face.
Thompson's Superb Feathered Mix is grown primarily as an ornamental flower for cut arrangements and garden display. The feathery flower heads dry beautifully for long-lasting dried bouquets and floral crafts, holding their form and color remarkably well when hung upside down in a dry location. In the garden, the tall, narrow growth habit makes it suited to back borders, pollinator beds, and as a textural accent among broader-leafed plants.
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Sow indoors 6 weeks before your last spring frost for earlier blooms. Sow seeds on the soil surface or barely cover them with vermiculite. Keep the seed tray at 68-78°F until germination occurs (expect sprouting in 8-15 days), then lower the temperature to 65°F. Use roomy cell packs rather than crowded flats to prevent seedlings from becoming rootbound, which can trigger premature flowering before transplanting.
Transplant seedlings outdoors after the last frost has passed and the soil has warmed. Harden off seedlings by gradually exposing them to outdoor conditions over 7-10 days before planting in the garden. Space plants 6 inches apart in their final locations.
Sow seeds directly in the garden about two weeks after your last frost date for later blooms. Sow on the soil surface or barely cover with vermiculite, keeping the soil moist until germination.
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