Spiked Celosia
Flamingo Feather Celosia is a graceful, heat-loving annual flower that brings an elegant vertical accent to any garden with its distinctive feathery spikes in soft pink tones. Rising 24 to 48 inches on slender, sturdy stems, this heirloom variety reaches full bloom in 60 to 90 days from seed and thrives in full sun across hardiness zones 10 and 11. The flowers start with a silvery-white base that blushes into rosy pink at the tips, creating a subtle gradient that catches the light beautifully as they mature. Both the fresh and dried flowers are exceptional in arrangements, making this a favorite among gardeners who want reliable performance in the cutting garden or landscape.
Full Sun
Moderate
10-11
48in H x 10in W
Annual
Moderate
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The soft pink spikes of Flamingo Feather Celosia sway with a plush, tactile texture that seems to invite touching. Unlike the densely packed, cockscomb-type celosias, this wheat celosia variety produces airy, delicate flower spikes that add a refined, almost whimsical quality to gardens and bouquets. The reliable, uniform growth habit means you can count on consistent performance season after season, and the flowers transition seamlessly from fresh-cut arrangements to long-lasting dried specimens without any special processing required.
This celosia shines as a cut flower, whether you're harvesting it fresh for bouquets or allowing it to dry for long-lasting arrangements. The feathery spikes retain their soft pink color and plush texture beautifully when dried, making them ideal for wedding designs, dried flower arrangements, and any setting where you want an elegant, understated focal flower.
Start seeds indoors 6 to 8 weeks before your last frost date. Sow on the surface or barely cover with vermiculture or fine soil, as light aids germination. Keep seedlings at 68 to 78°F until they sprout (expect germination in 7 to 21 days), then maintain temperatures around 65°F. Grow seedlings in roomy cell-packs to prevent them from becoming rootbound, which can trigger premature flowering. Harden off seedlings gradually before transplanting outdoors after the danger of frost has completely passed.
Transplant hardened-off seedlings outdoors after the last frost date when soil has warmed and nighttime temperatures stay consistently above 50°F. Space plants 10 inches apart in all directions. Gently firm soil around each transplant and water thoroughly to settle it in place.
Direct sow only in locations with a long growing season. Sow seeds 1/8 inch deep outdoors about two weeks after your last frost date for later blooms. Direct seeding may result in flowering later in the season compared to transplanting.
For fresh arrangements, harvest celosia when the flower spikes are fully developed and the stems are firm at the base of the bloom. For dried flowers, harvest at the same stage of maturity as you would for fresh cutting. Remove all foliage from the stems, then hang bundles upside down in a dark, well-ventilated location to dry completely. Properly dried celosia retains its color and form for months.
Pinch the growing tips early in the season to encourage branching and a fuller, bushier plant with more flowering spikes. Beyond this initial pinching, the compact growth habit means minimal pruning is needed.
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