For we gardening nuts, this time of the year can be tortuous. It's too early to seed anything other than cold-loving plants like sweet peas and spinach and the only annuals one dares put out now are pansies.
However, planting season will be here before you know it and then the fun begins.
As in life, planning is all important and gardens are no different.
For those who want this year's garden to be "au courant," make sure to feature celosia in pots, beds and borders.
Celosias are one of the most eye-catching annuals to grow in the garden, and the three types of celosia are easily distinguishable from each other.
They are plumes, crests, or spikes that are simply described as plumes of jewel-coloured feathers, wrinkly-looking knobs, or elongated cones.
No matter which celosia you choose to grow, the flower colours are not for the faint of heart.
Their vivid hues practically glow, lighting up the garden even on the rainiest summer days. Most commonly seen are dazzling red, yellow, cream, orange, rose, deep magenta, and pink.
In addition to their eye-catching magnificence in the garden, taller varieties are excellent as cut flowers, fresh or dried.
Celosia can range in size from dwarf varieties that only grow 10-15 cm. in height to vigorous types more than one metre tall.
Versatile, celosias grow in most any type of soil -- even heavy clay-as long as they are in full sun. They are heat and drought tolerant as well.
There are about 60 species of annual or perennial celosia. As they are native in zones 10-12, celosia can be grown here only as an annual and, with our short growing season, celosia is best purchased as a bedding plant rather than starting from seed.
When purchasing the plants, look underneath the cell pack for any signs of roots emerging from the drainage holes.
Avoid such packs as the plants are likely root-bound and stressed.
Check the roots, if possible, to see how tight they are in the cell. Look for healthy, well-coloured leaves -- examine them top and bottom for any signs of insects. Choose packs with vigorous plants growing in all cells, in soil that is not dried out. Gently push up from the bottom of the cell pack to remove the plant; do not pull it out by the stem.
If the roots are all matted together, make a vertical cut, one-quarter inch deep, through the root ball to encourage new root growth. Otherwise, gently loosen the soil around the roots.
Set the plant in the ground or container at the same level it was growing in the cell pack. Water well.
Set the plants 20-30cm. apart, or as directed on the plant tag. Even though celosias will grow in poor, rocky or sandy soil, they will thrive in rich, well-drained garden soil. Celosias hate wet soil and cool weather.
For all celosias (and for that matter, most annuals and perennials), whether you want to use them as fresh or dried flowers, cut the flowers when they are fully developed. Cut the flowers early in the day.
For dried arrangements, remove all the leaves from the stems and wrap a rubber band around six to eight stems and hang them upside down from a coat hanger in a dark, cool, dry, airy space for several weeks or until fully dried.
They will last in dried arrangements for at least six months without losing any vibrancy.
