Description
Amaranthus ‘Green Cascade’
Amaranthus caudatus ‘viridis’
The tails of soft green seed heads look like flowery ropes.
Last summer Amaranthus stole the show, it didn’t bat an eye at the almost 40°C heat in July and looked incredible all the way into November!
Amaranthus ‘Green Cascade’ is my favourite, in terms of colour for arranging, it goes with everything. In the garden I like to mix it up with Amaranthus ‘Red Cascade‘.
How to grow:
Don’t start Amaranthus too early, these plants cannot be planted until all risk of frost has passed.
Seeds will benefit from ‘a bit of warmth’ to germinate, 20-22°C is ideal.
Seeds need light for germination, don’t cover them in compost.
As seedlings emerge, you will notice the stems and leaves are coloured and this can confuse you slightly in the case of Amaranthus ‘caudatus’ Green Cascade. There will be reddish markings on the leaves. Don’t worry this is completely natural and the tassels will be the green colour you were expecting.
For more detailed growing instructions join our ‘Grow-A-Long’ and for busy gardeners you can now plan ahead with our Spring Grow-A-Long Handbook.
Details:
Variety: Amaranthus caudatus
Type: Half Hardy Annual
Position: Plants require full sun
Sow: Spring
Height: 90-110 cm
Spacing: 22-30cm apart
Harvest: July onwards
Seeds per packet: 400 (approx. counted by weight)
Cutting /Vase Life:
Pick when colourful seed heads have emerged and have started to elongate, stems will feel firmer to the touch.
Place straight into buckets of water and leave to rest preferably overnight, this is called conditioning. Removing foliage will help reduce the risk of wilting as well as revealing more of the colourful spires and tails.