FAMILY | AMARANTHACEAE | Amaranth Family

Genus name comes from the Greek word keleos meaning burning for the colorful flowers.

The specific epithet argentea means "silvery", in reference to the shiny, white bracts and tepals of the species. The group name Plumosa means "feathery" in reference to the shape of the inflorescence.

Celosia argentea

There are three common groups of Celosia argentea; spicata,  cristata, also known as cockscomb, and plumosa. Spica produces cylindrical flower spikes that resemble wheat – hence the common name wheat celosia or flaminco feather celosia. Cristata celosia produces a crested bloom and plumosa celosia blooms are fluffy and plume-like.

Celosia argentea var. spicata

Spikey grasses and flowers emote a carefree feeling of movement.

Celosia is an annual that is easily grown from seed, which makes it a great seed saving and pass along plant.

You can sow celosia seeds directly in the garden in late spring or early summer after the soil has warmed up and the last frost date has passed. If need be, you can start the seeds indoors 4 to 5 weeks ahead of time. However, celosia resents being transplanted so extra care is required when moving the young seedlings to their permanent home outdoors.

Celosia grows best in full sun and soil that is humus rich. While these plants can be somewhat drought tolerant, they prefer consistent moisture and suffer if allowed to wilt.

For better flowering, pinch back the first few blooms that appear. This will promote more branching of the stems, which means more flowers.

Celosia is a great flower for drying. Simply bundle 5 to 10 stems with a rubber band and hang upside down in a cool, dry room with good ventilation. Be sure to place a piece of newspaper under the bundles to collect the falling seeds.

 

 

White Flaminco Celosia

Celosia argentea var. cristata (sic. var. spica) 'Flamingo Feathers'

This new perennial, Purple Celosia 'Intenz.' is provided by Ball Horticultural to the nursery and ornamental garden trade and is well worth an ardent perusal. It is found under various names including Celosia spicata or Celosia argentea var. spicata 'Flaminco feather' (wheat feather).  I have seen it in dramatic shades including magenta and purple and brilliant whites.

Cockscomb celosia, Celosia argentea var. plumosa 

Celosia argentea var. cristata

Red celosia with a coleus top.

This celosia has a crested faciation which gives it a 

melted or curled appear 

Celosia

Gomphrena | Globe Amaranth

Gomphrena and Dahlia

 

Globe Amaranth (Gomphrena) in the test garden caught my eye. Gomphrena is an annual, perfect for a cottage design.

 

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Cactus

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Echinocactus____________

Golden Barrel Cactus (Echinocactus grusonii)

Echinocactus grusonii, popularly known as the golden barrel cactus, golden ball or mother-in-law's cushion, is a well known species of cactus, and is endemic to east-central Mexico. 

Horse crippler Cactus (Echinocactus texensis)

Echinocactus texensis (also known as the horse crippler or devil's pincushion) is a cactus endemic to the United States and Mexico. 

Lace Cactus (Echinocereus reichenbachii)

Echinocereus reichenbachii, commonly known as lace or hedgehog cactus, is a cactus species native to the Chihuahuan Desert and parts of northern Mexico and the southern United States.

Cylindropuntia________________

Walking stick cholla
Opuntia imbricata or Cylindropuntia imbricata

detail of the spines of cholla

Cylindropuntia is a genus of cacti (family Cactaceae), containing species commonly known as chollas, native to northern Mexico, the Southwest and Southcentral United States, and the West Indies.

Carnegiea___________________

Saguaro (Carnegiea gigantea)

The saguaro (Carnegiea gigantea) is a cactus species in the genus Carnegiea.  It is native to the Sonoran Desert in Arizona, the Mexican State of Sonora, and the Whipple Mountains and Imperial County areas of California. 

Opuntia _____________________

Spineless Prickly Pear Cactus (Opuntia ellisiana, Griffiths)

Opuntia, commonly called prickly pear, is a genus in the cactus family, Cactaceae. The genus is named for the Ancient Greek city of Opus, where, according to Theophrastus, an edible plant grew and could be propagated by rooting its leaves.

Unidentified cactus, in the Coastal white sage scrub, San Diego

Coastal sage scrub habitat of Southern California and Baja California, on the western edges of the Mojave and Sonoran deserts. 

Unidentified cactus, in the Coastal white sage scrub habitat, San Diego

References

Southwest

Bowers, N., Bowers, R., & Tekiela, S. (2009). Cactus of Texas: Field guide. Cambridge, Minn: Adventure Publications.

Evans, D. B. (2021). Cactuses of Big Bend National Park.

Konings, G., & Konings, A. (2009). Cacti of Texas: In their natural habitat. El Paso, TX: Cichlid Press

Loflin, B., & Loflin, S. (2009). Texas cacti. College Station: Texas A & M University Press.

Powell, A. M., & Weedin, J. F. (2004). Cacti of the Trans-Pecos & adjacent areas. Lubbock, Tex: Texas Tech University Press.

Powell, A. M., Weedin, J. F., & Powell, S. A. (2008). Cacti of Texas, a field guide: With emphasis on the Trans-Pecos species. Lubbock, Tex: Texas Tech University Press.

Weniger, D. (2014). Cacti of Texas and Neighboring States: A Field Guide. Austin: University of Texas Press.

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©  2020 Hyden Photography for

eGrassroots Horticulture e

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Cactus

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Gardening for the Holidays

CREATING a lovely site for YOUR  CACTUS

 Thanksgiving cactus, False Christmas cactus, Holiday cactus
 (Schlumbergera truncate)

 Thanksgiving cactus, False Christmas cactus, Holiday cactus
 (Schlumbergera truncata) 

Schlumbergera truncata resembles other species of the genus Schlumbergera in that it has leafless green stems which act as photosynthetic organs. The stems (cladodes) are composed of strongly flattened segments, which have two or three "teeth" of varying shapes along their edges and at the ends. The ends of the stems are "cut off" (truncated) rather than pointed. Individual segments are about 4–6 cm (1.6–2.4 in) long by 1.5–3.5 cm (0.6–1.4 in) wide. You will see the Christmas cactus in the stores in a small pot. The stems will be almost upright and this is to protect the stems and blooms from damage during shipping.  This is what my cactus looked like a few years ago. This cactus is actually a Thanksgiving cactus because it blooms a bit earlier than the true Christmas cactus (Schlumbergera bridgesi ). The Thanksgiving cactus have a pointed leaf and the Christmas cactus stems are more rounded.

The cactus is very easy to care for after it completes it's show. In March I place it on our porch. It faces southward but protects plants from the burning afternoon sun. You will need a site rich with sunshine but mottled to prevent burning. Ideal temperatures are between 55 and 68 degrees. I water once or twice a week in the summer. The Christmas cactus is native to South America. It grows in trees, and is considered an air plant, where it receives mottled sunlight. If we are expecting a freeze  in zone 7b-8a I bring it inside.

If the stems are layered, the flowers will cascade as in this photograph.

Propagation

Plant the "stems" directly into a slightly acidic, well draining soil and allow the soil to dry between watering. Growing and flowering instructions change dramatically depending on latitude. You will want to check with your local Agricultural Extension Office for specific instructions to ensure flowering in December. I don't normally place potted plants on furniture without a saucer to catch water but this is a temporary site for the picture. You do not want a saucer under your pot because the roots will rot readily. The flowers are available in red and this magenta pink. I like to place the pot at an eye level location to show off the flowers when they are in bloom and this also serves to keep it from spirited wagging puppy tails. 

Color

The flower on this cactus is a vibrant magenta. I have added a seafoam green wrap, as a complementary color around the pot to make the colors pop. The combination is very pleasing.

Here, I have placed the cactus with a Mid-century modern ('50's), seafoam green opalescent Fostoria Heirloom epergne. The seafoam green is a great complement to the magenta bloom.

The buds are prolific at Thanksgiving time and many of the flowers are  in full bloom at this time.

Christmas Cactus (Schlumbergera bridgesi )

I like to include live plants with Christmas decorations. After the cactus has completed it's bloom cycle I let it rest in a protected site with good sunlight but protected from the cold. In March, after our last frost I put it back outside on the front porch with a southern exposure. 

The Christmas cactus includes many cultivars of the genus Schlumbergera. There are a number of cultivar groups, including the Buckleyi Group, whose cultivars show inheritance from Schlumbergera russelliana (pictured). 🌵🎄

Illustration by Walter Hood Fitch for "Curtis's Botanical Magazine", v. 66 (1839-40), freely available in BHL thanks to Missouri Botanical Garden  https://s.si.edu/2EwjIy0

"Curtis's Botanical Magazine" is the longest running color-illustrated periodical. It was first published in 1787 by William Curtis as an illustrated gardening and botanical journal. In 1826, William Hooker, the first official director of Kew Gardens, became the editor of the journal. During this time, William hired the artist Walter Hood Fitch to serve as the magazine's principal artist.

In 1865, Joseph Dalton Hooker became Director of Kew Gardens and editor of "Curtis's Botanical Magazine". In 1877, after contributing over 2,900 illustrations to the magazine, Fitch resigned following a dispute with J.D. Hooker. Hooker's daughter, Harriet Ann Thiselton-Dyer, served as the magazine's illustrator until Matilda Smith was hired as the official illustrator. Smith eventually became the first official botanical artist employed by Kew, the first woman to be appointed president of the Kew Guild, and the second woman to be elected an associate of the Linnean Society of London. She continued as the magazine's chief illustrator until her retirement in 1921. Many of Smith's illustrations were lithographed for publication by Fitch's nephew John Nugent Fitch.

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©  2020 Hyden Photography for

 ♡  Grassroots Horticulture ♡

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