Description

Amaranthus ‘Velvet Curtains‘

Amaranthus cruentus.

Like a court jesters hat, dark crimson plumes bring an exotic look to your cut flower garden.

This one stands upright, also known as the ‘Princes Feather’, plant emasse or dot throughout your borders where ever you have a gap!

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!

Layer with the cascading varieties for sumptuous vase arrangements.

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.

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 cruentus
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: 150 (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.