Strawflower
QIS Formula Mix Gomphrena is an open-pollinated globe amaranth that brings reliable color and texture to fresh and dried arrangements. This bushy cultivar reaches 18 to 28 inches tall, producing abundant flower heads in a rich mix of colors that persist from mid-summer through frost. With 85 to 100 days from seed to first flowers, it's a workhorse for gardeners who want a productive accent flower that performs equally well in cutting gardens or as a bedding plant.
10-12 inches apart
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Moderate
10-11
28in H x ?in W
Annual
Moderate
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What sets QIS Formula Mix apart is its proven productivity in both fresh and dried arrangements. The flower heads maintain their color remarkably well whether you're conditioning them for a vase or hanging them to dry, and the open-pollinated genetics mean you can save seed from your best performers year after year. The mixed color palette adds versatility to garden designs, while the compact, bushy growth habit means you can space them just 6 inches apart to fill beds quickly.
QIS Formula Mix Gomphrena excels as a cut flower for fresh arrangements, where the colorful globular blooms add distinctive texture and form. It's equally valuable for dried flower work, the flowers hold their color beautifully when hung to dry, making them a favorite for winter bouquets, wreaths, and craft projects. The compact growth and profuse flowering also make it an excellent choice for bedding displays where you want long-season color without frequent deadheading.
Sow seeds into 72-cell flats or preferred seedling containers 6 to 8 weeks before your last frost date. Cover seeds lightly with 1/8 inch of growing media; they need light to germinate. Keep seedlings warm and evenly moist until transplant time. Harden off plants for several days before moving them outdoors to acclimate them to direct sun and wind.
Transplant seedlings outside only after all danger of frost has passed and soil has warmed. Space plants 6 inches apart. Gomphrena establishes quickly in warm soil and will begin flowering within weeks.
For fresh arrangements, harvest flower heads when they're fully in color but before they're completely open, this stage gives you the longest vase life. For dried flowers, wait until the blooms are completely open and fully mature, then cut and hang in a warm, dry location out of direct sunlight. The flowers will retain their vibrant color as they dry.
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