Leaf and Petal 2-Piece 3-N-1 Uptown Funk Celosia Mix

Celosia

• Approximately 60 species of celosia
• Colorful flowers that look like flames, wool or crests
• Prefer high humidity
• The leaves, young stems, and flowers are edible.

Planting instructions

• Thoroughly hydrate the plant by submersing the root zone in water for 10 minutes while preparing to plant
• Dig a hole twice as deep and wide as the plant's root ball
• Remove the plant from the pot
• Prepare the root ball for planting by gently disturbing the surface roots and pruning damaged roots
• Partially backfill the hole with soil and place the root ball inside so that the top is level with the ground surrounding the hole
• Refill the hole with soil and firm the soil around the plant with your fingers
• Water thoroughly

Watering

• Maintain a consistent watering schedule during the first year; infrequent, long soakings that fully saturate the soil are best
• As a rule of thumb, you should not allow the soil or the original root ball to dry out
• During the summer, you may need to water as often as every few days in periods of drought or extreme heat
• If the soil is dry 2-3" below the surface, it is time to water
• Be sure the area around plant has adequate drainage; if you plant in a container, choose one with drainage holes

Continuing care

• Apply a 2-4" layer of mulch around plants to promote moisture retention, maintain even soil temperatures and discourage weed growth
• Keep the area around your plants free of weeds
• Remove spent flowers as blooms fade, and trim any dead or weak growth to maintain a tidy appearance
• In mild areas, butterfly bushes may be pruned after they've gone dormant in late fall, or before growth begins in early spring
• In cold areas, butterfly bushes will die back over winter; cut them back to the ground in late fall, winter or early spring for new growth to emerge

Feeding instructions

• Feed plant once every 2-3 weeks during the growing season with water-soluble fertilizer
• Discontinue feeding after September 1st to allow plants to harden off for winter dormancy
• Resume fertilizing when new growth appears in spring

Winterizing instructions

• Watering thoroughly in late fall will greatly enhance your plant's cold tolerance once the ground has frozen
• While winter hardy, butterfly bushes will benefit from a 6-8" layer of mulch in colder areas to protect the root system from cold damage
• Containerized plants can be brought into unheated, protected areas like garages or cellars before temperatures drop below freezing
• Check soil moisture every 2-3 weeks and water indoor containerized plants as needed during winter
• In spring, remove extra mulch from in-ground plantings, and move containerized plants back outside