Calomeria amaranthoides

RHS Plant Profile
amaranth feathers

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amaranth feathers RHS
amaranth feathers RHS

Other common names

incense plant, plume bush

Synonyms

Humea elegans

Annual Biennial

A frost tender, erect and branching biennial to 2m tall with aromatic, lance-shaped leaves. Airy heads of small, tubular, pink to reddish-brown flowers are borne from summer into autumn

Position

Full sun

Soil Types

Chalk, Loam, Sand

Max Height

1.5-2.5 metres

Max Spread

0.5-1 metres

Size

Time to Maturity
1–2 years
Max Spread
0.5-1 metres
Max Height
1.5-2.5 metres

Growing Conditions

Chalk Loam Sand
Moisture
Well–drained
pH
Acid or Alkaline or Neutral

Position

Full sun
Aspect
West–facing or South–facing
Exposure
Sheltered
Hardiness

Hardiness Ratings

All ratings refer to the UK growing conditions unless otherwise stated. Minimum temperature ranges (in degrees C) are shown in brackets

  • H1A: under glass all year (>15C)
  • H1B: can be grown outside in the summer (10 - 15)
  • H1C: can be grown outside in the summer (5 - 10)
  • H2: tolerant of low temperatures, but not surviving being frozen (1 to 5)
  • H3: hardy in coastal and relatively mild parts of the UK (-5 to 1)
  • H4: hardy through most of the UK (-10 to -5)
  • H5: hardy in most places throughout the UK even in severe winters (-15 to -10)
  • H6: hardy in all of UK and northern Europe (-20 to -15)
  • H7: hardy in the severest European continental climates (< -20)
H2

Colour & Scent

Fragrance Foliage
Season Stem Flower Foliage Fruit
Spring
Summer
Autumn
Winter

Botanical Details

Family
Asteraceae
Native to GB/Ireland
No
Foliage
Deciduous
Habit
Columnar upright
Potentially harmful
Skin allergen. Wear gloves and other protective equipment when handling
Genus
Calomeria is the genus of one species of highly aromatic biennial, native to Southern Australia. They have simple, alternate leaves and large, branched pyramid-shaped panicles of very small, tubular flower heads in summer.
Name Status
Correct
Plant Range
SE Australia

How to Grow

Cultivation

Grow in fertile, well-drained soil in full sun. Frost tender requiring a minimum temperature of 40°C

Propagation

Propagate by seed

Suggested planting locations and garden types

  • Cottage and informal garden
  • Prairie planting
  • Flower borders and beds

Pruning

No pruning required

Pests

Generally pest-free

Diseases

May be susceptible to a virus