Description
Hopi Red Dye Amaranth
Amaranthus cruentus
Annual
Full sun
6 feet tall
2 feet wide
Intense burgundy leaves grow rapidly, particularly in the heat of the day. It’s ornamental, beautiful and even edible. It’s the tender, younger leaves that are typically eaten (in both the green and burgundy stage). Eat the fresh or cooked but try them. It’s a unique flavor. But that’s not its only feature. They can be used as a dye. Hopi Indians use the flower spikes as a food dye. But wait, there’s more! They are GORGEOUS as a cutting flower and I highly recommend it for that purpose. That’s actually how I use my plants because they produce massive quantities of flowers and stalks with little effort. Remember, however, amaranth is a heat lover. Although it grows in the cracks of cement in my climate, it will not withstand cold so keep that in mind when you plant it. Packet contains 20 seeds.
~
~
~
Enjoy more garden goodness: http://www.etsy.com/shop/thegardenstudio
