Amaranthus cruentus
Purple amaranth, Red amaranth
Also known as Amaranthus paniculatus
- Height × spread
- 2m × 0.45m
- Position
- Full sun
- Hardiness
- Mild winter to -5C (RHS H3)
- Flowers
- Summer, Autumn
Availability
Please ask in store about availability
Many plants are seasonal. Call 01234 567890 to check current stock.
About this plant
Showy but strange, this has an upright growth habit and curious flowers. It sends up vertical columns, albeit somewhat misshapen and knobby, like a Christmas stocking stuffed with walnuts and sticks of rock. These open out to vertically held tassels. slightly shaggy and unkempt but imposing in their height and colour. The leaves are long, rather conical in shape and coloured green, taking on red suffusion. The whole plant is a curious social misfit in the well ordered border. This is grown as an annual in fertile humus rich soil that is well drained in a sunny sheltered spot.
- Flower colour
- Red
- Foliage colour
- Green, Red
- Variegated
- No
- Scent
- No
- Shape
- Bell
- Height
- 2m
- Spread
- 0.45m
- Season of interest
- Summer, Autumn
- Flowers in
- Summer, Autumn
- Evergreen
- Deciduous
- Garden style
- Exotic garden, Cottage garden, Conservatory
- Sun or shade
- Likes full sun
- Soil type
- Gravelly soil, Sandy soil
- Soil pH
- Acid (ericaceous), Alkaline
- Drainage
- Moisture retentive soil, Well drained soil
- Hardiness
- Mild winter to -5C (RHS H3)
- Borders & containers
- Borders
- Hazards
- No
Spring
Spring-Autumn · Outdoors
Water to keep the soil moist
For best results, this plant needs soil that is always moist. Water deeply and regularly as soon as soil appears dry. Even for established plants in the ground, a dry week can cause problems with some soils. Check plants in pots more often, especially in hot weather. Or install an automatic irrigation system which will do the hard work for you, even when you are away on holiday.
Without regular watering some plants never fully regain their beauty.
Summer
Summer - early · Outdoors
Apply slow release fertiliser
Apply a slow release fertiliser which is spread around the root area of the plants soon after they have come into growth. (Or apply a liquid feed at regular intervals throughout the growing season.)
This is a simple way to provide a nutrient boost as a single annual procedure.