John Gill has been farming in Hurley, New York, for decades, and for many years his farm—now the home of the Hudson Valley Farm Hub—has been delighting guests with this unique celosia. Grown from seed that was conveyed to him by relatives who brought it back from Mexico, this variety is very tall—up to 6' in height—and is plumed with bright magenta, chenille-like, crested inflorescences that are so vivid they appear to glow, especially at dusk. The central blooms become many-layered magenta universes that harbor insect life, and the smaller blooms on side shoots make wonderful cut flowers.
