How do I care for this lovely plant?
What is this plant?
I have no idea, but it sure is pretty.
It looks like a bachelor's button to me.
Gomphrena.
http://davesgarden.com/guides/pf/go/222/
Thanks, hcmcdole. I had a senior moment and coudn't think of the proper name!
Elvinap ~ as far as care goes, these are relatively easy. They can be totally neglected and the plant will be stunted with smaller blooms. With adequate water, it will grow larger and deliver larger and more blooms.
They are an annual and will deliver plenty of seed. Each little petal on the pod is a potential seed. As the bloom ages, it will turn whitish from bottom up. I would leave them on the plant till you are tired of it or till it gets bit by frost. Then, cut the flower heads off and allow them to dry.
Next spring you will have lots of seed to plant and more to share. I had some volunteers in the flower bed this year even though I didn't plant any fresh seed.
They are a pretty plant and an easy one!
Mine grow very tall and come back every year...I've taken no seed. They also jump pot, to adjacent ones.
It's a good butterfly attractor and is one of those plants that thrives on neglect. I love it!
Carla
Yup, they're easy...I stared mine from one I pulled up in a friends' greenhouse floor, in sand.
I started with one plant about 4 years ago. I get many volunteers now. I didn't know that they reseeded and gave one to Stephanie in a trade thinking it was blackfoot daisy.
Ohhh, those look great en masse. Mine are in a pot, but I think it's time I put 'em in the ground.