Description

The dramatic, crimson tassels of love-lies-bleeding make it a unique plant, with a long history in colonial American and Victorian English gardens. Place up front as a focal point, or in the back of a border. Tassels can reach 18″, last for many weeks, and are excellent for fresh or dried flower arrangements. Also called tassel flower.

Botanical Name: Amaranthus caudatus
Family: Amaranthaceae
Native: Unknown
Hardiness: Annual
Plant Dimensions: 3'–4' tall, 12″–24″ wide
Variety Information: Each cascading red tassel (up to 18″ long) is a colony of tiny, tightly packed flowers against dark green leaves.
Exposure: Full sun
Bloom Period: Summer to frost
Attributes: Cut Flower

When to Sow Outside: 1 to 2 weeks after your average last frost date.
When to Start Inside: 6 to 8 weeks before your average last frost date. Sow in biodegradable pots that can be directly planted in the ground; roots are sensitive to disturbance.
Days to Emerge: 7 – 14 days
Seed Depth: 1/8″
Seed Spacing: A pinch (approx. 8 seeds) every 18″ – 24″
Thinning: When 1″ – 2″ tall, thin to 1 every 18″ – 24″

Harvesting: For longest vase life, harvest in the morning, choosing stems with 1/2-3/4 of the flowers open. Pick for dried use when the seed has begun to set and the flowers are firm to the touch. Stand the cut stems in a dry vase in a warm, dry, dark area for at least 10 days.

360 seeds.