Globe amaranth (Gomphrena globosa) produces nearly nonstop flowers, making it an all-time favorite for beds, borders, and containers, attracting butterflies and taking the summer heat without missing a beat. Its bright pompoms last a long time in fresh and dried arrangements. Once you plant this versatile annual, you can step back and watch it add continual beauty to your landscape until frost.
Globe amaranth
This plant is not susceptible to many disease or pest problems. However, it may get powdery mildew if watered overhead. Watering at the base of the plant or in the morning gives leaves a chance to dry off and prevents this problem. Globe amaranth plants are old-fashioned additions to dried flower arrangements. The flowers are dried by hanging. Harvest the flowers when they first open with a good length of stiff stem. Tie the stems together and hang the bundle in a cool, dry location. Once dried, they may be used with the stems or remove the flowers and add to potpourri. The flowers also work nicely in fresh flower arrangements. General care of globe amaranth flowers is the same for any cut floral. Make clean, slightly angled cuts at the ends of the stems and remove any leaves that might sit in the water. Change the water every couple of days and cut off a tiny bit of stem to open up the capillaries again. Amaranth flowers can last up to a week with good care
