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velvet flower Amaranthus caudatus

Phonetic Spelling
am-a-RAN-thus caw-DAY-tus
Description

An annual plant known best for its long, drooping, red or gold tassels.  Blooms from summer until frost.  Genus name comes from the Greek word amarantos meaning unfading in reference to the long-lasting flowers of some species.  Specific epithet means having a tail in reference to appearance of the flowers.

The soil should be kept moist. Set out plants after last frost. This plant is good in hanging baskets.

See this plant in the following landscape:
Cultivars / Varieties:
Tags:
#gold#showy flowers#full sun tolerant#drought tolerant#summer annual#low maintenance#hanging baskets#long-lasting flowers#tassels#cutting garden#dried arrangements#partial shade tolerant#container plant#annual
 
Cultivars / Varieties:
Tags:
#gold#showy flowers#full sun tolerant#drought tolerant#summer annual#low maintenance#hanging baskets#long-lasting flowers#tassels#cutting garden#dried arrangements#partial shade tolerant#container plant#annual
  • Attributes:
    Genus:
    Amaranthus
    Species:
    caudatus
    Family:
    Amaranthaceae
    Uses (Ethnobotany):
    Grain crop, leaf vegetable
    Life Cycle:
    Annual
    Recommended Propagation Strategy:
    Seed
    Country Or Region Of Origin:
    Ecuador to NW. Argentina
    Particularly Resistant To (Insects/Diseases/Other Problems):
    Drought
    Edibility:
    Seeds, leaves
    Dimensions:
    Height: 3 ft. 0 in. - 5 ft. 0 in.
    Width: 1 ft. 0 in. - 2 ft. 0 in.
  • Whole Plant Traits:
    Plant Type:
    Annual
    Woody Plant Leaf Characteristics:
    Deciduous
    Growth Rate:
    Medium
    Maintenance:
    Low
  • Cultural Conditions:
    Light:
    Full sun (6 or more hours of direct sunlight a day)
    Partial Shade (Direct sunlight only part of the day, 2-6 hours)
    Soil Drainage:
    Good Drainage
    Available Space To Plant:
    12 inches-3 feet
    USDA Plant Hardiness Zone:
    2a, 2b, 3a, 3b, 4a, 4b, 5a, 5b, 6a, 6b, 7a, 7b, 8a, 8b, 9a, 9b, 10a, 10b, 11a, 11b
  • Fruit:
    Fruit Type:
    Achene
  • Flowers:
    Flower Color:
    Gold/Yellow
    Red/Burgundy
    Flower Inflorescence:
    Panicle
    Flower Value To Gardener:
    Good Cut
    Good Dried
    Long-lasting
    Showy
    Flower Bloom Time:
    Fall
    Summer
    Flower Description:
    This plant has long, slender (12in) tassels/spikes of small, petal-less, red to gold drooping flowers. They bloom from summer until frost. This flower doesn't bloom until 3 months after sowing.
  • Leaves:
    Woody Plant Leaf Characteristics:
    Deciduous
    Leaf Color:
    Green
    Red/Burgundy
    Leaf Type:
    Simple
    Leaf Arrangement:
    Alternate
    Leaf Shape:
    Lanceolate
    Ovate
    Leaf Margin:
    Entire
    Hairs Present:
    No
    Leaf Description:
    Leaves are solid, blood-red.
  • Stem:
    Stem Color:
    Green
    Stem Is Aromatic:
    No
  • Landscape:
    Landscape Location:
    Container
    Resistance To Challenges:
    Drought