Fireworks gomphrena (Photo by Allen Owings)

Louisiana gardeners ought to consider adding some of the new gomphrena – or globe amaranth – to their landscapes.

Older varieties of gomphrenas, which we sometimes commonly called bachelor buttons or globe amaranth, are garden standbys. Plants can be from 6 inches to 4 feet tall depending on which one you plant. Full sun is best for these, and limit irrigation. Select the Audray, All Around or Las Vegas series if you want a smaller-growing variety

Fireworks is a new gomphrena variety. Unlike the older gomphrenas, Fireworks is quite tall (3-4 feet) and has pink flowers with light sprinkles of purple while other traditional gomphrena have light purple, lavender, white, dark purple and pink flowers.

Tall or short, new or old, add some gomphrenas to your landscape.

Allen Owings
Rick Bogren