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Annual Biennial

Celosia argentea (Spicata Group) 'Spiky Pink'

cockscomb 'Spiky Pink'

A bushy annual to 30cm, with mid-green leaves flushed with bronze This cultivar produces clusters of pink flower heads, rather than individual spikes, from summer until early autumn

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Ultimate height

0.1–0.5 metres

Time to ultimate height

1 year

Ultimate spread

0.1–0.5 metres

Chalk

Loam

Sand

Moisture

Moist but well–drained, Well–drained

pH

Acid, Alkaline, Neutral

	Stem	Flower	Foliage	Fruit
Spring
Summer
Autumn
Winter

Full sun

Aspect

South–facing or West–facing

Exposure

Sheltered

Hardiness
Hardiness ratings
All ratings refer to the UK growing conditions unless otherwise stated. Minimum temperature ranges (in degrees C) are shown in brackets
H1a: under glass all year (>15C)
H1b: can be grown outside in the summer (10 - 15)
H1c: can be grown outside in the summer (5 - 10)
H2: tolerant of low temperatures, but not surviving being frozen (1 to 5)
H3: hardy in coastal and relatively mild parts of the UK (-5 to 1)
H4: hardy through most of the UK (-10 to -5)
H5: hardy in most places throughout the UK even in severe winters (-15 to -10)
H6: hardy in all of UK and northern Europe (-20 to -15)
H7: hardy in the severest European continental climates (< -20)

Botanical details

Family: Amaranthaceae
Native to the UK: No
Foliage: Deciduous
Habit: Bushy
Genus: Celosia can be annuals, perennials or shrubs, with simple or lobed, alternate leaves and tiny, brightly coloured flowers in large, plume-like inflorescences. Many garden selections are closely related to C. argentea
Name status: Unresolved

How to grow

Cultivation

Can be grown in a greenhouse or conservatory, or outside once all risk of frosts have passed. Indoors, grow in loam-based potting compost in full light with good ventilation. Outdoors, plant in fertile soil in full sun in a sheltered position. Apply a balanced liquid fertiliser every 2 weeks

Propagation

Propagate by seed sown at 18ºC (64ºF) from early to late spring

Suggested planting locations and garden types

City and courtyard gardens
Cottage and informal garden
Patio and container plants
Flower borders and beds
Conservatory and greenhouse

Pruning

No pruning required

Pests

May be susceptible to aphids, glasshouse red spider mite and glasshouse whitefly

Diseases

May be susceptible to foot and root rot, and fungal leaf spot diseases

Get involved

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