What is this?
Doesn’t it look like an underwater creature, but velvety.
Here is another shot.
And here it is used in a bouquet.
Celosia is a great annual that we are using a lot of lately. It is locally field grown, we start getting in the shop around the first of August and it will go until there is frost. We get two different varities of celosia, the feather (looks like a feather) and the cockscomb, which is my favourite. Customers are always inquiring what kind of flower this is, they are amazed by the velvety texture.
The shop is looking very pink these days.
And as always, lovely!
I am a floral designer living in a tiny condo in downtown Toronto, Canada's largest city. But on the weekend, I am a gardener/frustrated architect trying to keep up with a 3/4 acre garden in Owen Sound, Ontario, a warm (to Canadians, Zone 5b, and a cold (to Americans, Zone 4b) garden.
Green Theatre 
catmint said,
October 19, 2009 @ 7:13 AM
this is a flower which looks like a brain! very dramatic.
kilbournegrove said,
October 19, 2009 @ 10:13 PM
It is very dramatic isn’t it. Thank you for visiting my blog and look forward to seeing you again soon.
Racquel said,
October 19, 2009 @ 9:03 AM
It is definitely an interesting flower head. Looks great in the arrangement. 🙂
kilbournegrove said,
October 19, 2009 @ 10:15 PM
Racquel, we are always looking for more bang for the buck when designing a bouquet. These can be quite huge, bigger than your fist, and one of the more reasonably priced, long lasting flowers.
Tatyana said,
October 19, 2009 @ 11:02 AM
I don’t grow it. It certainly looks good on your pictures. I think I mignt try them next yesr. Thanks!
kilbournegrove said,
October 19, 2009 @ 10:16 PM
I haven’t grown them myself, but they are supposed to be easy to grow. These are the cut flower variety, so they have longer stems.
Rebecca @ In The Garden said,
October 19, 2009 @ 3:36 PM
What an interesting flower, I’d love to touch it! My first thought was ‘it reminds me of a brain’, but your underwater creature reference is much more appealing. It looks great on its own and in the mixed bouquet. Beautiful orchids, and I love the arrangement in the green glass bottle. 🙂
kilbournegrove said,
October 19, 2009 @ 10:17 PM
It is very velvety! You have a good eye for flowers, the mocara orchids in the green glass are one of my favourites.
miss m said,
October 19, 2009 @ 3:48 PM
I can understand customers inquiring. I would too. Amazing looking flower. I’d certainly be compelled to touch it, but smell it too. Is it very fragrant ?
kilbournegrove said,
October 19, 2009 @ 10:18 PM
It is very touchable, velvety like lambs ears, but no fragrance. Thank you for visiting my blog and hope to see you again.
Joanne said,
October 19, 2009 @ 4:53 PM
What an interesting flower
kilbournegrove said,
October 19, 2009 @ 10:18 PM
It is very unusual isn’t it.
Mary Delle said,
October 19, 2009 @ 7:20 PM
Celosia looks like a lovely plant to try in the garden. What wonderful velvety flowers.
kilbournegrove said,
October 19, 2009 @ 10:19 PM
The grower says it is very easy, but does take some time to get the large sized heads, and as soon as the frost comes it is finished.
Wendy said,
October 19, 2009 @ 9:15 PM
oooh, neat! I think I’m mostly accustomed to the cockscomb type. I like it a lot, but have noticed it in people’s gardens here and there. It can look really nice, but also a little silly depending on how it’s used. I can’t put my finger on how to use it nicely though. I love the celosia you showed in the hydrangea like fashion.
I believe the cockscomb type is an annual. Is this other type an annual as well? Or at least it’s not hardy in my zone.
kilbournegrove said,
October 19, 2009 @ 10:21 PM
Wendy, as far as I know, it is a cockscomb. I only know of 2 types of celosia, the feather or plume and the cockscomb. I do think that you have to use it deep in an arrangement, like a hydrangea, you are right, it would look dumb sticking up in the air!
This is definately an annual.
muhammad khabbab said,
October 20, 2009 @ 2:12 AM
What a unique and different flower. We call it “Kalgha” in local language. Blooming freely these days.
Heather @ what's blooming this week said,
October 20, 2009 @ 8:03 AM
Hi – I’m planning on being down in your area on Friday and will try to pop by the store. Can’t wait to meet you and see the store, still blushing in pink I hope.
kilbournegrove said,
October 20, 2009 @ 1:40 PM
I’m the one blushing in pink, Heather. Look forward to seeing you on Friday.
kilbournegrove said,
October 20, 2009 @ 8:04 AM
It is lovely isn’t it, it must be beautiful seeing it flowering freely where you live. Thank you for visiting my blog.
Helen at Toronto Gardens said,
October 20, 2009 @ 5:10 PM
Deborah, A neighbour with a sunny garden had these in spades last year, and what was most surprising is how statuesque they became and how much the bees *loved* them. The shorter, feathered type gets overused in institutional plantings, and I have seen shorter versions of the cockscomb, too. But these tall fellows were showstoppers.
kilbournegrove said,
October 20, 2009 @ 5:33 PM
Helen, I didn’t realize they were so loved by the bees. When we are conditioning them, tons of tiny seeds would fall onto the counter. I should have saved some and found out for myself.
JeLyKa ♥ said,
September 28, 2012 @ 9:21 AM
I love celosia! I just got a bought of them from a road side stand, and they are absoltuely amazing, but what I MUST know is what is that gorgeous pink/orange flower in the second to last picture, it’s GIANT and so beautiful I’ve never seen a flower like that but I’ve drawn them all my life, I MUST KNOW! (the stunning bright flower right under the celosia and lillies) p.s. I love how you incorporate kale into your arrangements, such flare, really truly amazing pieces! I would love to see what else you have at your shop!
JeLyKa ♥ said,
September 28, 2012 @ 9:22 AM
**got a boquet of them
kilbournegrove said,
October 16, 2012 @ 9:24 AM
Lucky you.
kilbournegrove said,
October 16, 2012 @ 9:24 AM
It is a dahlia, they come in many shapes, sizes and colours. Thank you for the compliment, glad you like the arrangement.
JeLyKa♥ said,
March 19, 2013 @ 3:14 PM
so it IS a dahlia!! that’s what I thought, but I have never seen them like that one you found, it’s beyond amazing! ! everytime I come back to this article I’m even more astonished by those colors! you do terrifc work! and I only give compliments when they are due – you most DEF deserved at least one for these works of art! ! !