These were planted after I removed a trio of azaleas that just didn’t seem to thrive in this flower bed, despite me trying to improve the soil. I ended up tearing up the whole bed, mixing in fertilizer and fresh soil, and watering it over a few days. Then I added some evergreens and 3 small ‘Dragon’s Breath’ Celosia from Lowe’s. It’s been amazing to see how well the plants have taken off.
This is the first time I’ve put so much effort into my garden, so I’m really attached to these plants. But I know Celosia doesn’t last in my zone, so I’m already dreading the day the season ends for them.
Chandler said:
I had no idea Celosia could get this big! I’ve only seen the smaller ones at the garden center, like 3-4 inches tall with just a couple of buds.
Until these started growing, I didn’t know Celosia could get this big either. Definitely not complaining though!
Joey said: @Addison
Do people think it’s all the same plant with different colors? Lol! I plant my marigolds close together, and by Fall, they look like mums!
Hmm, that’s an interesting thought! I never really considered that people might think it’s the same plant. But I guess not everyone is as into gardening as we are. Everyone around me knows all about my coleus because I won’t stop talking about them!
Joss said: @Addison
I love coleus! Yours look amazing, and the color spread is fantastic!
Thank you so much! Coleus looks great in mass plantings. Can you believe that all those plants are from just 6 coleus I bought for under $2 each at Lowe’s and Calloway’s? I just kept pruning and sticking the tops into the soil, and they grew like crazy! I do wish my Celosia grew like yours though. What zone are you in?
@Addison
I’m in zone 8a. I haven’t been confident enough to try spreading my plants like that, but I’m happy with how these 3 small ones have done. I’ll probably start making cuttings and spreading plants once it warms up again and I pick out new ones.
I had a Dragon’s Breath from Lowe’s in a pot, and I let it die off in the cold. It went to seed, and the next year it came back in the same pot! It’s worth letting it go to seed to see what happens. I’m in zone 7b, and Celosia isn’t supposed to come back here, but it did.
If you want it to regrow in the same spot, try mulching up the plants and spreading it around the same area. I did this by accident and ended up with even bigger Celosia the next year.
Jordan said:
What’s your secret? Do you use fertilizer or hand-water them? Great blooms and foliage, by the way! You did an awesome job.
Thanks! Since I wasn’t sure what to do, I looked up some tips to improve the soil quality (beyond just using the basic fertilizer shaker bottles). I replaced the top 4-6 inches of soil with pre-fertilized soil and watered heavily while doing that. I read somewhere that the water helps the nutrients sink deeper, so the roots can reach them better.
