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Magic of many hues

Amaranthus, colourful addition to a garden

EASY TO GROW Amaranthus

Fancifully called `Love lies bleeding', Amaranthus is an annual, known for its vibrant colours and long, tiny floral racemes. Its foliage is what makes the plant striking, and varieties range from medium tall to short.

Related to the greens family, this specimen is, however, not to be eaten, but to be grown as a show-stealer. The leaf colour is likely to change with a change in temperature, which brings out deep shades.

Colours range from yellow, green, red, maroon, and a combination of yellow and red, or red and green. Varieties have been named after their colour — Illumination, Early splendour, Aurora and Molten Fire. The plant is also sometimes referred to as Joseph's Coat, or Summer Poinsettia.

An ideal plant for the tropics, it grows taller in rich soil, and takes well to organic manure. Colours are also brighter in rich soils. Plentiful water on alternate days is sufficient, under a rather full sun. Shade will not help in bringing out foliage colour. The flowers last very long, up to several weeks, by which time tiny black seeds are formed by the hundred. Growing from seed is easy.

Spider mites are common and affected leaf can be pinched off. As the plants can be long and straggly, staking is essential as a support and to maintain a good appearance.

Amaranthus is a colourful addition to a garden, not very expensive, and easily multiplied.

RUPA GOPAL

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