Celosia cristata King Coral - Crested Cock's-comb

Celosia cristata or Celosia King Coral displays large and gigantic rounded flowers, measuring up to 30 cm (12in) in diameter. This cockscomb is an annual plant native to tropical areas of the planet. It stands out in the garden with its vibrant coral pink colour, associated with its velvety texture and unconventional shape. Its characteristic flowering, made up of curious inflorescences with an unreal texture, lasts a long time and does not fade, even when dried. It carries its extravagant flower for flower beds and bouquets. Easy to grow in the sun, in well-drained and moist soil.

Native to tropical and temperate regions of America and Asia, Celosia argentea ssp. cristata is an annual herbaceous plant of the Amaranthaceae family. It is cultivated for ornamental purposes, due to its unusual inflorescences resembling undulating crests, which earned it its vernacular name of Cockscomb. It is actually a short-lived frost-tender perennial. It appreciates warmth as well as rich, moist, but well-drained soils.

This compact variety of Celosia, King Coral, reaches a height of 15 to 20 cm (6 to 8in) and a width of 20 to 30 cm (8 to 12in). Its astonishing flowering takes place in summer, from July to September, or even until the first frost depending on the sowing date. The plant develops a single, more or less branched, channelled stem, with long triangular leaves, pointed at the tip, smooth, light green or sometimes tinged with red to violet. At the top of the stem, a compact, undulating or plicate inflorescence develops, often with a velvety appearance. It consists of tiny petal-less flowers, with coloured bracts. Each inflorescence can live up to 8 weeks. After pollination by pollinating insects, seeds form and easily germinate in light soil.

Cockscombs are dramatic flowers, with a dramatic temperament that is expressed without restraint in bouquets or in the heart of perennial flower beds. They enhance the simple flowering of field daisies, accompany the blue stars of Asters or the delicate flowers of Cosmos. These plants make an impact when planted in groups of 3 to 5 subjects with a carpet of ground cover plants like Cerastostima plumbaginoides, Artemisia Powis Castle or Stachys. In a vase, do not put too much water and change it frequently to prevent stem rot.