Amaranthus
am-ah-RAN-thus. Amaranth family, Amaranthaceae.
Amaranthus is a cosmopolitan genus containing 60 species of annuals or short-lived perennials found in wastelands and tilled fields in mild and tropical regions around the globe. While many species are weedy - pigweed (A. retroflexus) belongs here - several bring brilliant foliage and/or exotic-looking flower clusters to the garden. They bear alternate leaves and erect or pendant clusters of tiny, densely packed, petalless flowers followed by small, bladderlike fruits.
How To Grow
Plant amaranths in full sun to partial shade and evenly moist, average soil. Foliage types produce larger but less brilliantly colored leaves in rich soil. Sow seeds indoors 6 to 8 weeks before the last frost. Germination takes about a week at 70 to 75 degrees F. Wait until after the last spring frost date, once the weather has settled and the soil has warmed up, to transplant. Outdoor sowing delays bloom but is practical in areas with long growing seasons - roughly from Zone 6 south: sow seeds outdoors after the last frost where plants are to grow. Water during dry weather to prolong flowering. Amaranths lend an exotic, tropical air to beds and borders. The flowers and foliage are effective from midsummer to frost. Plants self-sow.
A. caudatus p. (pictured above right)
a. caw-DAY-tus. Love-lies-bleeding, Tassel Flower.
Pale green ovate leaves on bushy, 3- to 5-foot plants. Showy, pendulous, rope- or tassle-like clusters of flowers at the tips of the stems and in the leaf axils. Some cultivars have red or reddish purple leaves. The seeds are edible, and this species is grown as a grain in portions of South America. The foliage also is edible and is used medicinally in some cultures. 'Love-Lies-Bleeding' bears blood-red flower clusters up to 2 feet in length. 'Viridis' and 'Green Tails' bear yellow-green flowers. A. cruentus, commonly called prince's feather or purple amaranth, is a somewhat similar species with purplish green leaves and cylindrical flower clusters that are green blushed with red at first and ripen to red-brown, purple or sometimes yellow. Warm-weather annual.
A. hypochondriacus p. (pictured at right)
a. hi-poe-kon-dree-AY-kus. Prince's Feather. Formerly A. hybridus ssp. hypochondriacus.
Bushy, 3- to 4-foot plants with oblong- to lance-shaped purple-green leaves. Erect, plumelike flower clusters reaching 6 inches or more in length. 'Pygmy Torch' is a 1- to 1 1/2-foot cultivar with maroon flowers. Warm-weather annual.
A. tricolor p. (pictured at left)
a. TRI-kul-er. Joseph's Coat.
Showy, ovate leaves in shades of green, purple, flaming scarlet and rich maroon on 1 1/2- to 4 1/2-foot plants. Also called Chinese spinach because the young leaves are edible fresh or cooked. Depending on the cultivar, the leaves also may be marked with rose-pink, gold, yellow or brown. Insignificant flowers. Cultivars include 'Flaming Fountains' with narrow scarlet and bronze leaves; 'Illumination' with bronze lower leaves and flaming red upper ones; and 'Aurora Yellow' with a topknot of yellow leaves. Warm-weather annual.
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The above copyrighted information is adapted with permission from the "Taylor’s Guide to Annuals: How to select and grow more than 400 annuals, biennials, and tender perennials," (Houghton Mifflin, 1999, softcover) written by Barbara W. Ellis and published by the Houghton Mifflin Company. The Exclusive Online Only Author's Note comes directly from Ellis and is not included in the book.
Ellis is also the author of "Taylor's Guide to Growing North America's Favorite Plants: A detailed, how-to-grow guide to selecting, planting, and caring for the best classic plants." (Houghton Mifflin, 1998, softcover). Country Living magazine called this comprehensive reference "The 'must-have' gardening book of the year."
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Images provided by Houghton Mifflin Company.