Amaranthus Species, Chinese Spinach, Fountain Plant, Joseph's Coat, Summer Poinsettia

On Jun 10, 2013, Bhead wrote:

I live in upper east Tn. (Kingsport, Tn near Bristol) and got a seed in with another plant a friend in Bristol had given me. When it came up she told me it was called Summer Poinsettia. I love how it reseeds and I never know where it will come up. It is such a unique plant and I love that it is at it's best in the hottest part of the summer. It is not aggressive at all in my garden but very easy to pull out if it is where I don't want it.

On Mar 29, 2011, muttlover from Marysville, OH (Zone 5b) wrote:

I've never seen it in real life, but the University of IL Extension service has an on-line video where they are recommending it for longer lasting color in the back of gardens. I was surprised because I thought it was strictly a southern plant, but the U of I guy said it's an annual (assuming in IL) that reseeds very heavily so you have a show continuing the next years too.

On Aug 22, 2010, wvisbeautiful from Orma, WV wrote:

I grew the Joseph's Coat here in central WV for the first time this year. It was spectacular and is continuing to form new flowers along the stem. I'd like to collect the seeds to sow more freely next year but I'm not sure how to "bag the seed head". Any advice?

On Oct 17, 2004, Retired99 from Sebastian, FL wrote:

This plant can be seen at Disney's Epcot Garden and Flower Show each spring. That is where we fell in love with it. We just sow them directly into the soil and the plants seem to last through most of the summer. But, then they die back and actually re-seed during the end of the summer. Have not been able to keep them blooming on into Sept. and Oct. Does anyone else have this problem here in south Florida?

On Aug 21, 2003, DonBender from Clifton, NJ (Zone 7a) wrote:

Beautiful colors. Have Joseph's Coat & Early Splendor.
When colors start turning,get many,"What Is It". Likes sun & water but North NJ OK! Can go to 4/5ft.

On Jun 27, 2003, tsue42 from La Marque, TX (Zone 9a) wrote:

This plant is very easy to grow and definitely likes the humidity of the south. I have noticed that if it is planted where it receives direct sunlight all day it stays a beautiful fuschia color with the hot pink (flowers)tips at the top. I planted some in shade and some in full sun. The ones in the shade stayed green with yellow tops and pink tops. The ones planted in full sun have stayed the beautiful hot pink and fuschia. My plants are loaded with seed pods so I should have enough for years to come...definitely an oddity but beautiful to look at. My tallest is appx. 4 1/2 foot but the person I received the seeds from, has some that are appx. 6-7 foot and just gourgeous to look at. Definitely would make you proud to have it in your garden. I am hooked.

On Oct 10, 2002, Michaelp from Piney Flats, TN (Zone 7a) wrote:

Nice quick growing herb/not frost tolerant/can take lots of heat/real easy to grow/good flaver,eat as you would spinach/grows from seed on most soils,even poor soils/does not need much fertilizer or water.I think it should be grown more.