The celosias are happy go lucky annuals that bring vibrant color to the garden. This is especially true for Armor and Arrabona celosias.

Armor Mix crested celosia

A number of flower colors are available in this series. They include purple and red as well as yellow and orange. The very attractive cockscomb type plants are vigorous. Reaching one to 1½ feet in height, these are medium sized.

Armor celosias make an excellent bedding plant. They’re also a great choice for mixed planters. These plants are quite tolerant of drought and heat.


Arrabona celosia

Seeds of this plume type celosia are available from various sources,
including Park Seed and Burpee. This variety was named as a Fleuroselect Gold Medal winner in 2013.

Arrabona celosia was a top performer at the North Dakota State University plant trials in 2017. The compact, very uniform well branched plants can withstand heat and drought. They adapt well to most all regions of the country.

This variety is recommended for flower borders, pots, and mixed planters. Performing beautifully in the landscape, Arrabona celosia blooms throughout the growing season from summer into fall.

The mix includes various flower colors, such as white, various blues, yellows, and red. The dense plumes are feathery. The red, which is actually a red-orange, is very vibrant colored.

Arrabona celosia stems are highly suitable for cut and dried flowers. The plants are ten to fourteen inches tall with a matching spread.

Asian Garden Celosia

Seeds of this variety are available from Select seeds, Harris-Garden Trends, Jung, and Burpee. It is a novelty type with wheat straw flower plumes.

This variety was named an All America Selections winner in 2017. It was bred by a Japanese seed company, Murakami Seeds.

This was also chosen as the best overall annual at the Iowa State University plant trials in 2017.

Asian Garden celosia is ideally suited to hot areas of the country. Greenhouse Management magazine reported that “the longer and hotter the season, the longer the flowers grow and the wilder and woolier they look.”

This plant is tolerant of drought. The bushy, well branched, upright plants are sturdy and strong. The stems reach 31 to 40 inches in height. Asia Garden celosia is ideally suited to flower beds, pots, and mixed planters.

The flowers, which serve as a magnet for pollinators, are an amazing vibrant pink. Flowering occurs all season until frost. The spiky stems are excellent for cut and dried flowers. The leaves are green with deep pink veins.