Amaranthus Red (Love-Lies-Bleeding)

Amaranthus caudatus 'Love-Lies-Bleeding' Tassel Flower 'Love-Lies-Bleeding'

Long, velvety crimson tassels that hang from substantial upright plants like cascading rope, theatrical curtains, or heavy Victorian fringe — there is genuinely nothing else in the garden that does what Amaranthus does, and once you have grown it, no cottage border feels complete without it.

This is a half-hardy annual from the high Andes of South America, where it was cultivated for thousands of years by Inca and Aztec civilisations as both an ornamental and a sacred grain. In British gardens it grows quickly to 90–120cm with substantial, broad-leaved upright stems, and from the leaf axils emerge those extraordinary pendulous flower spikes — densely packed clusters of hundreds of tiny crimson flowers along long, hanging tassels that can reach 60cm or more in length. The romantic name "Love-Lies-Bleeding" references the dropping, weeping silhouette of the tassels and dates from the Victorian language of flowers. Modern gardeners simply love it for the drama. RHS Plants for Pollinators recognised, and one of the very best dried flowers we grow at Salle Moor Hall Farm.

A note on growing

Amaranthus needs warmth at every stage. Sow indoors from March to May at 18–21°C — surface-sow or barely cover, as the seeds need light to germinate. Expect germination within 10–14 days. Pot on as the seedlings develop and harden off carefully. Crucially, do not plant out until all risk of frost has passed and the soil has warmed properly — late May or early June in most UK gardens. Amaranthus sulks in cold soil and any check to growth in early life shows up later as smaller plants with shorter tassels. Plant in full sun, in poor to average soil — rich ground produces lush leaves but disappointing tassels. Once established, the deep taproot makes it remarkably drought-tolerant.

Where it shines

In sun-baked cottage borders, where it brings pure theatre to the back of the planting, and in the cutting garden, where the long tassels are extraordinary in large vase arrangements. But its single greatest use is for drying — Amaranthus retains its deep burgundy-crimson colour for years when properly air-dried, and the velvety texture makes it the indispensable ingredient in autumn wreaths, gothic dried bouquets and any everlasting arrangement that wants drama. We grow it specifically for our dried flower range here in Norfolk; it is one of the finest and most reliably colourful dried flowers any cutting gardener can grow.

Plant alongside

In the border, contrast the heavy crimson with airy whites — Ammi majus, Cosmos, or the white clouds of Achillea 'Marshmallow' all work beautifully. For a richer, deeper scheme, combine with the dark-toned Antirrhinum 'Lucky Lips' and the smoky pinks of Achillea 'Cerise Queen'. For the dried flower garden, plant alongside Statice and Strawflowers for a coordinated harvest.