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Celosia are annual flowers that are getting lots of attention. They come in two different types: Cockscomb and Pampas Plume. The cockscomb looks likes a colorful rooster s comb and, in Victorian times, were exhibited at county fairs with the biggest comb winning. The more popular Pampas Plume varieties have large, feathery plumes that bloom all summer.
There are some new All American Selections winning varieties available and an unusual old one, too. Kelos Candle Pink features a 2-foot tall plant with airy pink flowers that are excellent for drying. Asian Garden grows even taller, to 3 feet tall, with big, bushy pink flowers that can take a light frost. An old heirloom I m trying in our garden is the Chinese Wool Plant. It dates back to the early 1900s and has red flowers that literally look and feel like bundles of wool. It grows 2- to 3-feet tall with “balls” of flowers on top. The other cool thing about celosia is it s related to amaranth and the leaves are edible.
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In January and February, with holiday traditions celebrated and New Year’s resolutions ushering in a new cycle, we collectively exhale. And despite the bleak pallet and chilled days, the clean-slate months of a new year present gardeners solid ground on which to lay plans and hopes for a successful growing season. While the garden sleeps, the gardener schemes and dreams.
Now is the time we relish the ritual of seed selection and garden planning. We watch our mailboxes and wring our hands in anticipation of seed catalogs and when they arrive, we welcome them like old friends. The spectrum of colors alone is enough to brighten our days. Striking photos of thriving plants stir our spirits, evoke visions and invite us to reminisce. Each year, despite the bounty or heartbreak of previous harvests, seed catalogs p