I’m always looking for plants that can provide interesting color in both the garden and home, particularly during the fall. One of my favorites in recent years is Dragon’s Breath Celosia.
It’s akin to cockscomb, but what’s so unique about this particular variety of celosia is that it features both fiery red plumes as well as beautiful red foliage.
These plants, which can be started from seed, grow to be about 20-24” and add plenty of drama to the autumn landscape. I like to use them in borders, but they also work great as a container plant. Planted by itself in a container, you get that huge pop of color, but it also works well paired with other sun-loving plants.
Not only does Dragon’s Breath brighten up the garden, it also makes an unusual and interesting cut flower. I like to pair these deep-red, feathery blooms with marigolds and ornamental grasses for the perfect fall arrangement.
Below are a few tips I’ve picked up along the way since I’ve incorporated this stunning plant into my fall garden.
- Dragon’s Breath can take the heat and is incredibly low-maintenance, which is perfect for my zone 8 garden. It likes full sun, meaning at least six hours of direct sun per day.
- Keep young plants well-watered. However, once established, Dragon’s Breath is incredibly drought-tolerant. Simply ensure that you provide plenty of water during hot, dry periods in order to get as many blooms as possible.
- You may feel reluctant about cutting the blooms off of this beautiful plant, but it will continue producing blooms and the plant will grow larger throughout the fall season.
Learn more about Dragon’s Breath Celosia by watching the video below!