Description | Chinese Giant Orange Amaranth (Amaranthus hypochondiacus) is a tall annual reaching over 5-6 feet tall. Produces dense plumes of dark orange flowers. |
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Plant Type | Annuals |
Hardiness Zone | 10 |
Sunlight | full, mostly sunny |
Moisture | average |
Soil & Site | average dislikes soggy |
Flowers | dense plumes of orange flowers, upright on the plant, become a burnt orange in the fall, and plumes loosen up and weep, can be used as a cut flower |
Fruit | tan, orange seeds harvested for grain |
Leaves | yellow, yellow-green young and fall foliage, edible |
Stems | heavy, thick |
Dimensions | over 5-6 feet |
Maintenance | will probably need to be supported |
Propagation | easy from seeds started indoors |
Misc Facts | From the Greek word amaranthos, which means never fading, for these flowers are decorative dried for large bouquets. Young foliage and seeds are edible. |
Author's Notes | These plants became a focal point in my back gardens. They reached over 6 feet tall, and the bright orange flowers lasted until the fall. |
Notes & Reference | #28-Cottage Garden Annuals (Clive Lane), #266-Gardening With Heirloom Seeds (Lynn Coulter) |