| The pinkish purple Celosia argentea Cristata, commonly known as a "brain head flower," has been growing all summer in the rose garden east of Lieber College on the Horseshoe. The annual plant is related to the Celosia plumosa, commonly called cockscomb, which has feathery plumes in brilliant red, yellow, and orange.
This crested variety (Cristata means crested) prefers full sun, takes general care, and, because it grows to between five and six feet tall, is good for background borders, said Fred Drafts, a University horticulturalist who is in charge of all the annual flower beds on campus. They make a dramatic showing when planted close together.
Interestingly enough, the plant came up voluntarily. Drafts had used some of the blooms in a Christmas arrangement. After the holidays, the plant went to the compost pile. Some of the compost, including Celosia seeds, was used in the rose garden, and the plant came up this summer unplanned.
Celosia argentea Cristata makes an excellent dried flower and is often used in flower arrangements, said Drafts, but he warned members of the University community not to pick the blooms—they are for everyone’s enjoyment.
11/03
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The Celosia argentea Cristata blooms on campus.
