Celosia cristata Captain Mix' seeds - Crested Cock's-comb

Cockscomb (Celosia argentea var. cristata, "cockscomb") ‘Captain Mix’ produces inflorescences shaped like velvety combs in warm hues. This selection is perfect for adding a touch of exoticism to a summer border and fresh or dried cut flower arrangements. From the Captain series, it stands out for its tall habit, sturdy stems, and generous flowering that extends from midsummer to the first frosts.

Celosia belongs to the Amaranthaceae family. Celosia argentea var. cristata has synonyms: Celosia cristata, C. argentea f. cristata. The wild species C. argentea is thought to originate from tropical Africa and has become widely naturalised in warm regions of Asia and America; the crested form, fixed by ancient horticultural selection, is cultivated near homes and temples in Asia. Grown as an annual in temperate climates, it behaves as a short-lived perennial in tropical to subtropical climates.

The Captain series, a professional series from the Dutch company Evanthia, has been selected for cut flowers: the young plants are vigorous, with very straight stems, they produce large, uniform heads and offer a stable colour mix. In open ground, they reach 80 cm to 1.10 m in height for 30 to 50 cm in spread; under cover, up to 1.20 m; in pots, between 30 and 60 cm depending on the volume of the container and the richness of the substrate. Their growth is fast, taking 10 to 14 weeks from sowing to flowering. 
The leaves are lanceolate to ovate, medium green to bronze green depending on the strain; the stems are sometimes tinged with red. The inflorescences are flattened and scalloped, forming thick velvety combs 7 to 30 cm wide. The colour palette includes lemon yellow, golden yellow, apricot and orange, pink to fuchsia, cherry red and carmine. Flowering occurs from July to September-October.

Beyond its ornamental interest, Celosia argentea is eaten as a leaf vegetable in West Africa (this plant is called "Lagos spinach"). The crested form is traditionally used for decoration and certain rites in India and China; the inflorescences dry very well.

'Captain Mix’ will add texture and colour to summer borders. You can plant this celosia in groups of 5 to 7 at the back or middle of your display, in rich soil and full sun. Pair it, for example, with Gomphrena globosa ‘Purple’ with its long-lasting small flower balls, Zinnia 'Queen Pure Orange', French marigold 'Durango Yellow', and add a colourful grass like Pennisetum x advena ‘Rubrum’. In a large container, plant 3 young plants of Celosia with a coleus 'Palisandra' with almost black velvety foliage and a verbena 'Endurascape Purple Imp' with a trailing habit. For cut flower arrangements, cut when the base of the inflorescence is firm; to dry, hang the stems upside down in a dry, airy place.