Amaranthus caudatus

Seed available June 2024

The many, upright, unusual, deep burgundy, fluffy flower spikes top tall, magenta stems covered in dark green/burgundy leaves with a coppery underside make ‘Opopeo’ a dramatic cut flower. With its long vase life, we love it mixed with zinnias, dahlias and sunflowers and also as a standalone amaranth.

It is striking in the garden growing to 1.8m and lasting well into Autumn. Multi-branching, with many flowering side shoots, its flower spikes are more upright than some amaranth.

This vigorous heirloom amaranth was first cultivated about 6,000-8,000 years ago in South and Central America. It was a staple food for many pre-Columbian civilizations. It was used as a staple grain by the Inca, Maya and Aztec civilizations. Because of its high nutritional value, it was culturally considered as a beneficial food for children and elderly. In addition to being a stunning ornamental, ‘Opopeo’ produces an abundant harvest of amaranth seed for eating.

Easy to grow and thriving in most soil types, this giant appreciates support. Pinching the growing tip from the top when plants are about 30cm provides for quicker side branches with thinner stems. Unpinched the main stems forms like a sunflower, holding its central head tall and the side shoots still form.

SEED COUNT: 150 approx