Celosia thrives in the heat and humidity of a Southern summer and produce some beautiful combinations. One of my favorites is a crimson flowered celosia like ‘New Look’ with bronze purple tones in the leaves grown in front of ‘Crimson Pygmy’ barberry. By mid-summer the barberry leaves are many shades of crimson to purple and echo the color of both the flowers and leaves of the celosia. The barberry leaves are very small and contrast nicely with the coarse leaves of the celosia. The berry provides color from spring until late fall while the celosia adds its color echo during most of the summer. Both plants do well in full sun and average, moist, well-drained soil, although the celosia will appreciate regular applications of fertilizer to sustain flowering.
Plumed Celosia (Celosia argentea var. plumosa)
The fluffy flower heads of celosia are upright and compact creating a showy display of vivid color. A bronzed leaf cultivar such as ‘New Look’ had added color to make this combination extra special and is worth tracking down. Celosias frequently reseed and appear the following year.
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Bloom Time: June to frost
Size:12-18” H x 8-12” W
Hardiness: Annual
Crimson Barberry (Berberis thunbergii ‘Crimson Pygmy’)
This deciduous shrub grows as a low, compact, neat mound with small leaves that provide rich tones of crimson to purple from spring until fall, with fall color tending towards red. Although it can take some shade the best color develops in full sun. Small white flowers appear in spring and are followed by red berries in the fall. Although slow growing, plants profit from annual pruning.
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Bloom Time: Spring (not significant)
Size: 24-30” H x 24-30’W
Hardiness: Zones 4-9
