Feather celosia (Celosia argentea (Plumosa Group) 'New Look')
Bright red plumes define Celosia argentea (Plumosa Group) 'New Look', a low-maintenance annual known as Feather celosia, excellent for borders and cutting.
Complete Plant Information
Overview
Celosia argentea (Plumosa Group) ‘New Look’ offers striking, vivid color throughout the summer season, making it a favorite bedding plant. As a member of the Plumosa Group, this Feather celosia produces intense, narrow-pyramidal flower heads that contrast beautifully against its purple-bronze foliage. This easy-to-grow annual thrives in summer heat and humidity, providing reliable performance where many other flowers might falter.
The characteristic plumes of Celosia argentea (Plumosa Group) ‘New Look’ provide a unique, almost textural element in garden design. Gardeners appreciate this variety for its low maintenance needs combined with its spectacular output of bright red flowers from early summer until the first frost. Its manageable size also makes it perfect for both mass plantings and smaller container arrangements.
Functionally, Feather celosia serves excellently as an addition to cutting gardens, lending both fresh and dried material for floral arrangements. Its resilience to dry periods, once established, adds to its practical appeal for busy gardeners looking for high impact with minimal fuss.
Fast Facts
- Plant Family: Amaranthaceae
- Plant Type: Annual
- Hardiness Zones: USDA Zones 2-11
- Size at Maturity:
- Height: 1-1.5 ft
- Spread: 0.75-1 ft
- Bloom Time: June to frost
- Bloom Description: Bright red
- Sun Exposure: Full sun
- Water Needs: Medium
- Maintenance Level: Low
How to Grow
For the best results, plant Celosia argentea (Plumosa Group) ‘New Look’ in humusy, moderately fertile, and well-drained soils. This Feather celosia prefers full sun but can tolerate slight shade, though flowering will be reduced. If you choose to start your own seeds, sow them indoors 6 to 8 weeks before your area’s last spring frost date for the earliest blooms.
Transplant seedlings or purchased plants outdoors only after all danger of frost has passed. While established plants tolerate dry soils and drought well, ensuring consistently moist soil during the establishment phase is crucial for vigorous growth. Taller varieties should be sited away from strong winds, though ‘New Look’ is generally a compact cultivar.
Watering should be consistent, especially during dry spells, as a medium water requirement is noted. Maintenance is straightforward; deadheading spent flowers will encourage the plant to continue producing plumes throughout the season, significantly prolonging the flowering period until frost arrives. This annual thrives particularly well even during hot and humid summer conditions.
Landscape Uses
The vibrant color and fine texture of Celosia argentea (Plumosa Group) ‘New Look’ make it highly versatile in landscape design. Use it en masse within garden beds or borders to create solid blocks of brilliant red color that attract immediate attention. Its relatively short stature, typically reaching 14 inches, ensures it does not obscure background plantings.
These plants are superb for edging pathways or defining planting areas where a low, impactful line of color is desired. Perhaps its most popular function is as an ingredient in mixed containers; combine the upright plumes of Feather celosia with trailing annuals and contrasting foliage for dynamic mixed displays. Furthermore, the sturdy stems and lasting color make them excellent for both fresh and dried cut flower arrangements.
Standout Features
Flower Qualities
- Showy
Noteworthy Characteristics
Celosia argentea cultivars are typically divided into three general groups: (1) Cristata Group, (2) Plumosa Group, and (3) Spicata Group. Plumosa Group plants, commonly called feather celosia, plumed celosia or feathered amaranth, feature narrow-pyramidal, plume-like flower heads (4-10” long) composed of tiny, densely-packed, vividly-colored flowers. Flower colors include bright shades of orange, red, purple, yellow and cream. Flowers bloom throughout summer into fall (sometimes to frost) on erect stems clad with spear-shaped green to red-purple leaves. ‘New Look’ is a 1988 introduction that features bright red flower plumes and purple-bronze leaves, typically growing to 14” tall with a spread to 12”.
Tolerances
- Drought
- Dry Soil
Potential Problems
Celosia argentea (Plumosa Group) ‘New Look’ is generally low-maintenance, but vigilance is required regarding soil conditions and air circulation. The primary susceptibility is to root rot, which occurs when the soil remains persistently saturated or poorly drained. Prevent this by ensuring excellent drainage before planting.
Fungal leaf spot diseases can also affect Feather celosia, especially in overly humid or crowded conditions. To mitigate fungal issues, provide adequate space between plants for air circulation, and aim overhead watering only early in the day, allowing foliage to dry quickly.
Frequently Asked Questions
What hardiness zones is Feather celosia suitable for?
Celosia argentea (Plumosa Group) ‘New Look’ is hardy and reliably grown as an annual across USDA Zones 2 through 11.
How large does Celosia argentea (Plumosa Group) ‘New Look’ grow?
This specific cultivar generally reaches a height between 1 and 1.5 feet tall, with a spread averaging 0.75 to 1 foot wide.
What sun exposure does Feather celosia need?
For optimal, abundant bloom production, Celosia argentea (Plumosa Group) ‘New Look’ requires full sun exposure throughout the growing season.
When does Feather celosia bloom?
This plant provides continuous color, blooming reliably from June until the first frost occurs in the fall.
Conclusion
The reliable, heat-loving performance and intense color display of Celosia argentea (Plumosa Group) ‘New Look’ secure its place as an essential annual bedding plant. Its ability to tolerate drought once established makes this Feather celosia a practical choice for vibrant, low-effort summer displays. Before planting, ensure your chosen location provides full sun and well-draining soil to maximize the intensity of its bright red plumes.
Companion Planting
When selecting companions for Celosia argentea (Plumosa Group) ‘New Look’, focus on plants that share similar needs for sun exposure and drainage, such as Zinnia or Marigold varieties. Because the distinctive plumes of Feather celosia offer a vertical, fine texture, they pair superbly with plants offering contrasting wide, flat foliage or rounded blooms, like broad-leafed Hostas used in partial shade, or shorter Dahlias in full sun borders. Grouping these varieties helps create stimulating visual contrast in texture, color, and height within your garden beds.
Design Ideas
The upright form and saturated color of ‘New Look’ make it an excellent structural element in casual or cottage-style garden designs. Use them planted in geometric patterns within formal beds to emphasize the strong red vertical lines against mounding green or silver foliage. For contemporary container gardening schemes, place several Celosia argentea (Plumosa Group) ‘New Look’ specimens at the center of the pot, allowing softer, trailing plants to spill over the edges, leveraging the plant’s 14-inch height advantage.
