Celosia

Another beautiful, but often under used flower is celosia, or 'cocks comb'. When I first saw it nearly twenty years ago, I couldn't get over its beauty! I reminded me of a sea anemone, or a piece of crushed velvet. With its glorious folds and waves, and rich colours it works well densely packed together with other strong autumnal flowers, such as the previously mentioned dahlia, but also 'Piano' garden roses, rose hips, Chinese lanterns and gloriosa lilies, like this arrangement taken from the wonderful book by Paula Pryke "Flowers Every day".

But I think I love it best, simply, on its own, where its out of world beauty shines through!