Celosia (Cockscomb) – A Velvety One-of-a-Kind
Celosia belongs to the amaranth family (Amaranthaceae) and comes from the tropical regions of Africa and Asia, where it grows as an annual. It gets its name from the Greek word keleos (burning), which perfectly captures its fiery colours. It is a flower that instantly grabs attention in a bouquet with its unusual, velvety look.
What it looks like and what wins you over: There are two main forms: the crested type (Celosia cristata), which resembles a rooster's comb, and the plumed type (Celosia plumosa), which looks like colourful feathers. Both varieties come in incredibly rich colours – from neon pink through deep orange to burgundy. To the touch, the blooms are soft and feel like luxurious velvet.
Facts from the world of flowers:
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Edible beauty: In parts of Africa and Indonesia, Celosia's leaves are grown as a vegetable (its taste is reminiscent of spinach).
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Immortality: In the language of flowers it symbolises steadfastness and courage. Thanks to its longevity once dried, it is seen as a symbol of love that never fades.
Tip from Andrea (Seasonal Arrangements Specialist): “In our workshop we affectionately nickname Celosia the 'brain' :-) It is the absolute star of summer bouquets and autumn bouquets. Its wavy structure is unmissable in a bouquet. In season we often bring it straight to our stall at the Kulaťák farmers' market, where people love picking it for their own arrangements. My secret trick? Celosia dries beautifully – just hang it flower-down somewhere dark and dry. It keeps its colour all winter!”
✦ Use at KvětinyExpres.cz: Celosia is key for our mixed bouquets, where it creates a deep contrast of colour and texture. You will also find it in our main bouquet range as a dominant design element.
