Description

GLOBE AMARANTH MIX (Gomphrena globosa) also known as Immortality presumably because it is such an excellent candidate for decorative drying. Globe Amaranth is a beautiful flower (actually a bract) that originated in Central and South America and was popularized in Victorian gardens. As a child we called this the gumball plant for the shape. Easy to grow. Grows 18"-36" with full bushy habit if you keep it pinched back. Variety offered here was gathered from an old North Carolina farm where it comes back every year. The second photo shows the dried form of my forage. The purple, pink and white colors are this bright dried so you may want to save for dried floral arrangements. Attracts LOTS of butterflies. Here in North Carolina, this flower is considered xerophytic, i.e., performs well in drought conditions which often visit us. Self-seeding annual. 25 Seeds.

GROWING TIPS: You can start early inside, or sow anytime outside after soil warms. A light dependent germinator so cover barely. Soaking seed before planting can enhance germination. Germinates in about two weeks. Blooms all summer long if kept picked, which shouldn't be a problem because they are wonderful in the vase!

DRYING TIPS: Harvest flowers before the bracts open completely and hang upside down in a dark room or shady spot. Let dry completely. Use florist wire inserted in the stem to protect from breaking and help keep your pretty decorative longer. You can also save the blooms with just a bit of stem on them to and create a pretty everlasting ball using styrofoam and florists wire.