Celosia argentea var. cristata ‘Cramer’s Burgundy’

BURGUNDY CRESTED COCKSCOMB

Celosia argentea var. cristata ‘Cramer’s Burgundy’
BURGUNDY CRESTED COCKSCOMBS

Celosia argentea var. cristata ‘Cramer’s Burgundy’ is weirdly wonderful & so rewarding to grow.

Weirdly wonderful burgundy velvet crests

Blooms have the most beautiful velvety texture and incredible formations.
And in a wonderful, deep, rich burgundy colour. Yummmmmm.

Fantastic floristry flowers

Cockscombs are a staple for professional and amateur florists.
Ever popular for their rich colour, fabulous velvety texture, and strong stems.

Fabulous fresh or dried for floristry

Because they last extremely well – fresh in a vase – dried for permanent arrangements or Christmas wreaths.

Unusual & delicious edible

Celosia argentea var. cristata ‘Cramer’s Burgundy’ not only looks great, but tastes good too.
The new leaves, fresh stems, and young flower heads are all used in cooking (the best flavour comes from harvesting new, young and fresh).

Easy to use in cooking

Cockscomb is usually steamed or sauteed in butter or olive oil (delicious with garlic or onions), or added to casseroles, stews and soups.
The flavour is best described as nutty flavoured spinach – but try for yourself.
It is widely used as a vegetable in the cuisines of India, Indonesia and Africa.

Plant in the veggie patch for wow factor & high nutrition

Cockscombs make a tasty and colourful vegetable, very high in health giving beta-carotene and folic acids.

Large heads continuously blooming through summer & autumn

Each flower head is large (up to 30cm. across), and there are many of them continuously produced through summer and autumn on the Cramer’s Cockscombs.
(No prizes for guessing why the flowers are commonly called Cockscombs).

Cramer’s breeding for bumper flower production

The Cramer’s series of Cockscombs have been specially bred for maximum number of flower (or vegetable) stems.
They are the most popular strain for Florists and Flower Farmers.
Individual flower heads are up to 30cm. across, and plants stand 75-80cm. high approx.

Thrives in heat & summer humidity

As a native of tropical Africa, Celosia argentea var. cristata just revels in summer heat and humidity, and is happy to remain in your garden for years, permanently as a long lived perennial. Providing you garden in subtropical or tropical areas.

Tough for heat & drought resistant

Though Celosia argentea var. cristata are also found wild on dry slopes in India – so they also have impeccable credentials for thriving in heat and dry.
Once established, They are resistant to drought and tenacious through periods of dry.

Water wise

Therefore ideal for home gardeners and Flower Farmers who have to limit their water use through summer.

Cut & come again Perennial in sub-tropical & tropical gardens

Crested Cockscombs are great “cut & come again” as both floristry flowers and veggies in warm gardens.
The more you harvest the more flowers you get, and of course in the warm climates they go on year after year.

Spectacular Annual for flowers & food in frosty areas

For us in cold winter climates – we have to grow them as annuals or in a polytunnel to overwinter (or even an indoor pot over winter in a brightly lit place).
But luckily they are very easy and quick to grow as an annual for cropping each year – if you need to resow each year.
And many commercial Flower Farmers prefer to do this.

Quick & easy to raise from seed

Seeds germinate in 7-14 days after sowing.

Quick from seed to flower 

So if you sow about 8-6 weeks before the last frost is usually expected – you can have plants in the garden quickly in spring – and cutting flowers by summer for vase and kitchen.

Harvesting for long vase life

Tip for Flower Farmers: To create maximum branching for bumper flower crops – pinch the growing tip out of the plants when they are about 20cm. high.
Tip for harvesting fresh for maximum vase life: Cut the flower heads when they are fully open.
They have a long vase life – up to 14 days if water is fresh and flower food is used.
Tip for harvesting for dried flowers: Cut the flower heads when they are fully open and hang upside down in a dark place to dry.
They last extremely well as dried flowers and hold their colour very well once the are dried in the dark.

Stunner in pots or on a balcony

Needless to say Crested Cockscombs are real conversation starters.
Endlessly entertaining in a feature pot on a balcony, deck or courtyard (and you can always harvest some flowers or veggies).
They take to life in a pot very well.

Low maintenance & easy to grow

Celosia argentea var. cristata ‘Cramer’s Burgundy’ is a very low maintenance plant in the open garden, pot, or Flower Farmer’s Field.
It is largely untroubled by any pests or diseases (as long as you don’t have deer – they do love them).

Plant in full sun or part shade

Cockscombs are such adaptable plants, from such a wide range of habitats.
So they are happy in Full Sun positions, but also thrive with a little shade for part of the day, or filtered, dappled light, or even a bright spot indoors.
Though they are not suitable for fully shaded spots.

Thrives in a wide range of soils 

Celosia argentea var. cristata thrive in any well drained soil.
So they are suitable for any sandy, gravel and rocky soils, and all the way up to really good garden loam.

But must be well drained

But they cannot abide clay or any heavy soils that retain too much water.
When potting – give them a nice open mix.
Soils on both sides of neutral pH – acid or alkaline are suitable.

Bliss for bees & pollinators

Bees (both native and honey-bees) love visiting the velvety wrinkles for pollen for their babies.
Butterflies and night-flying moths are all visitors too.

Fun in the garden – kids adore them

Crested Cockscombs have always been fun.
In the old language of flowers (when you sent a bunch of flowers instead of an email), the flowers symbolized fun and silliness – an invitation to a party.
Kids just can’t resist stroking the velvety flowers and stems, and conjuring up stories with the weird, dragon-like flowers.

SEED SOWING ADVICE: QUICK & EASY
Suitable for beginners & gardening with kids

Sow directly in the garden in spring after frosts are finished.
OR
Sow at any time of year in a punnet indoors, whenever suitable temperatures can be provided (21-27°C).

Sowing indoors for quick germination & early plants:
First sow the seeds in a punnet on surface of good quality seed raising mix.
Then gently press the seeds onto the mix to ensure good contact.
Now very barely cover the seeds with sieved mix / fine sandy grit / or fine vermiculite, but do not bury.
Because these seeds need light to germinate.

Then stand the sown punnet in a shallow water bath and allow the moisture to percolate up to the surface of the mix from below.

Drain, then place the moist punnet in a warm, well-lit position position (but not in any direct sunlight, as this will dry the seeds out and prevent germination).

Temperatures of 21-27°C approx. are best for rapid and optimum germination.
So you can use a heated mat if you have one to maintain warm temperatures.
However it is not essential as these seeds are willing germinators, given suitable temperatures.
So a warm, well-lit place will do.

Continue to keep the sown punnet consistently moist by misting from a spray water bottle.
Covering with a clear plastic lid will also help to keep the surface consistently moist between mistings.
(Remove the cover as soon as sprouting commences).

Seedlings usually begin to emerge in approx. 7-14 days.
Though some may naturally take a little longer – so do not discard the punnet too quickly.

Prick out the seedlings as soon as the first set of true leaves develop.
Pot on, feed gently, and grow on ready for garden planting.

Sow seeds directly in the garden:
Sow in full sun in neutral to alkaline soil that drains well.

Seed Count: 20 seeds per pack approx.
(We always aim to exceed the stated seed count, and give a generous serve).

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