In This Article >  Awesome Amaranth >  Mad About Millet >  Sweet Wheat >  Creative Corn >  Grains in the Garden Related Articles >  Amaranth >  Backyard Bird Feeding Products >  Rodale's All-New Encyclopedia of Organic Gardening Discussions >  Over the Fence

Awesome Amaranth

Practical as well as pretty, amaranth (Amaranthus spp.) is an easy-to-grow annual that typically reaches 4 to 8 feet tall, with a sturdy, upright stem topped by plumes of seedheads from late summer through fall. The plants also produce an abundance of tiny seeds that are prized as a high-protein grain crop, and the leaves are edible throughout the growing season.

Dramatic in the garden, the showy seed clusters are also terrific when cut for autumn arrangements. 'Orange Giant' produces green leaves and huge orange plumes; 'Hot Biscuit' is similar but has more-spikelike, rusty orange heads. For an even more dramatic color impact, try one of the red-leaved selections, such as 'Hopi Red Dye'. "There's no waiting for it to flower to look good," enthuses Mayo Underwood, owner of Underwood Gardens in Illinois. "In fact, the flowers on 'Hopi Red Dye' are inconsequential. What really stands out is the intense burgundy color of the entire plant."


Red-leaved 'Polish' amaranth left a strong impression on our own Pam Ruch, who manages the Organic Gardening Test Garden in Pennsylvania, where she grew a few different amaranth varieties in 2004. 'Polish' stood out, she says, "because of its striking dark foliage and huge red heads on tall, sturdy plants."

Growing tips: To get this heat-loving grain started in your garden, sow seeds indoors in early to midspring or out in the garden in late spring, and barely cover them. Space transplants or thin directly sown seedlings to stand 12 to 18 inches apart. Most amaranths drop seeds where they grow, so after the first year, you probably won't need to plant them again. Just thin out the volunteer seedlings and enjoy their trouble-free beauty year after year.

Special note: Let amaranth drop its seeds, and you'll be rewarded with loads of beautiful seedlings next year.

		Page 1 of 5

	Save up to 27%: subscribe to Organic Gardening...
	PLUS get a free gift and a FREE book! Click here now.