Amaranthus caudatus is the hanging or “Drooping” deep red spiked variety known as love-lies-bleeding. Well-grown plants of love-lies-bleeding are spectacular bushy half-hardy annuals with large, almost tropical leaves, over and through which the familiar tassels cascade to the ground. Each of these fascinating crimson or purple tassels is a colony of tightly packed, tiny flowers and lasts for many weeks on the plant.

Watering plants well in dry weather, feeding regularly and supporting the heavily laden stems if necessary, all help to produce the longest tassels. With neglect it will flower when only a very few inches high, but with generous treatment, specimens three or four feet or more with enormous drooping tassels of red flowers can be obtained.

This ever-popular annual is perhaps more versatile than you might imagine – good in the border, most effective as a cut flower in arrangements, a good pot-plant and, not often appreciated – if carefully dried, the colour of the spikes remains unchanged for a considerable time.

Sowing: Sow in late spring or early summer.
These flowers are susceptible to frost so be sure to sow only after the last chance of frost has past and the soil has warmed a little. Either sow direct into the ground where they are to flower, or sow into a seed tray and leave somewhere sheltered outdoors.
If sowing directly where they are to flower, prepare the ground well and rake to a fine tilth. If sowing more than one annual in the same bed, mark the sowing areas with a ring of sand and label. Sow 1mm (¼ in) deep in rows 30cm (12”) apart. Ensure that any weeds are removed, especially during the early stages of growth. Thin out once they have reached 5cm (3”) The seedlings will appear in rows approx 6-8 weeks after planting and can be easily told from nearby weed seedlings. Continue to thin the seedlings out so they are finally 30cm (12”) apart by early summer

Cultivation:
Leave a few plants to die down and self seed. Others can be pulled up and composted.

Plant Uses:
Wildlife & Wildflower gardens, Cottage/Informal Gardens or Flowers Borders and Beds. Container planting.

Looks Good with:
Cosmos, Liatris spicata, Cleome and Mirabilis jalapa.

Other Common Names:
Drooping Amaranthus, Prince's Feather, Kiss-Me-Over-The-Garden-Gate, Purple Amaranth, Foxtail Amaranth, Tassel Amaranth, Tassel Flower, Teasel flower.