Intenz celosias
Old-fashioned cockscombs were heirloom plants that reseeded freely in your great-grandmother’s gardens. They were passed along one generation to another. You still see them blooming several feet tall in older neighborhoods across Texas.
But that was then. And Intenz celosias are right now. Let me tell you about them.
What you’ll want to know…
• Common name: Intenz celosia
• Scientific name: Celosia argentea
• Year introduced: First variety (Intenz Classic) 2012
• Breeder: Floritec (the Netherlands); North American production and marketing: Ball FloraPlant/Ball Seed; also marketed under Proven Selections/Proven Winners tags.
• How many varieties: Classic, Deep Purple, Lipstick, Candy Pink, White Cream – main color range revolves around magentas and dark purples.
• How propagated: Vegetatively for uniformity (not grown from seed). All varieties are patented, cutting-grown clones.
Note: There are other wheat-type celosias that can be grown from seed, but they will not be these Intenz series plants.
• Height: 14-24 in.
• Spacing: 8-12 in.
• Best landscape uses: In beds and in containers (where they can be filler/upright plants). Good for use as cutflowers as well.
• Exposure: Full sun for best color and branching.
• Soil preparation: Normal flower garden soil (highly organic, uniformly moist).
• Watering: Average – do not allow to wilt, but do not keep overly wet for prolonged periods of time.
• Temperatures: Adaptable, but will freeze at 32F and have damage from frost at temperatures a few degrees above that. It’s best not to plant them where they will receive hot, reflective sun in mid-summer.
