Gomphrena haageana (Rio Grande Globe Amaranth)

Gomphrena haageana (Rio Grande Globe Amaranth) is a showy, tender perennial, often treated as an annual, boasting a profusion of ball-shaped flowers composed of fiery orange papery bracts. Peeping from the bracts are tiny yellow flowers. Blooming from early summer to the first frost, the flowers are borne on stiff, upright branched stems. They are a magnet for bees, butterflies, and other pollinators. They contrast with the foliage of narrow ovate to oblong green leaves, 3 in. long (7 cm). Native to the Southern U.S. and Mexico, Rio Grande Globe Amaranth is an attractive architectural element in the landscape and looks amazing at home as it makes excellent fresh cut flowers and everlasting dried arrangements. Low maintenance, pest and disease-free, drought and heat-tolerant, use it in a mixed planting of other summer-flowering annuals and perennials.

• Grow up to 24-30 in. tall (60-75 cm) and 12-18 in. wide (30-45 cm).
• Thrives in any moderately fertile soil in full sun. Good drought tolerance once established but performs best with regular moisture throughout the growing season. Excellent heat tolerance.
• A great choice for beds and borders, containers, cottage gardens, and cutting gardens. Excellent for fresh or dried flower arrangements and bouquets.
• Low maintenance, add this charming annual plant to the landscape and you will be rewarded with bees, butterflies, and other pollinators, beneficial insects.
• No deadheading is required.
• No serious pest or disease issues. Deer do not prefer this plant.
• Propagate by sowing seed at 60-65°F (15-18°C) in early spring.
• Sow seeds outdoors after all danger of frost has passed or indoors 6-8 weeks prior to the last spring frost date.
• Pinch young plants to promote bushiness.
• Gomphrena haageana is native to New Mexico, Texas, and Mexico.