Another great annual to grow for the cutting garden is Gomphrena globosa, or also known as Globe Amaranth. Grow these flowers in full sun and enjoy the brilliantly colored round flower heads. This variety has salmon colored blooms that form on sturdy stems making it ideal for cutting.
Globe amaranth is a 24 inch tall annual growing in USDA zones 3 - 10.
Globe Amaranth also dry well. For drying, cut the blooms just as they begin to open and hang upside down in a warm, well ventilated place. These annuals are ideal for the border or flower bed, but they also make a nice container plant, and they bloom all summer long.
It is recommended to soak the seed overnight in tap water. Sow the seed the next day directly outdoors in the spring once frosts are no longer expected. Press the seed into the soil, do not cover it, and keep it moist.
Sowing Rate: 1 - 2 seeds per plant. Given temperatures of 68 – 75F, germination is usually within 10 days. Space the plants 12 – 18 inches apart. If growing Globe Amaranth for cutting, place the plants closer together to encourage longer stem growth.
