Amaranthus cruentus 'Velvet Curtains' provides intense crimson foliage and inflorescence. The dramatic plants with large plumes of flowers, ideal for a sunny, sheltered border. Flower heads will turn to seed and retain their colour for a long season of interest. The branching plumes stand upright and grow to a height of around 120cm (48in) tall. It is easily grown in even poor soil and can handle a variety of conditions, both humid and dry. Suitable for use in the border or in containers, the showy spikes of flowers make an excellent cut flower and make exciting vase material that hold their colour longer than other amaranths, making it great for flower arrangements. The larger first cuts are perfect for large installation work, and multiple secondary cuts are perfect for bouquets. They will last 7 to 10 days in a vase. This ever-popular annual is perhaps more versatile than you might imagine. The plants are good in the border and the tall panicles are most effective as a cut flower in arrangements, and, not often appreciated, if carefully dried, the colour of the spikes remains unchanged for a considerable time. For those, however, with more serious matters to worry about, this is a very productive plant that can produce up to half a pound of nutritious seed to the square metre. While it is no longer a staple food, Amaranth seed is still grown and sold as a health food. The leaves are rich in Vitamin C and iron with a taste rather like spinach, and the gluten-free seeds have a nutty flavour are high in protein and calcium. The seeds can be eaten as a cereal grain, ground into flour, popped like popcorn or cooked into porridge. Use it to replace up to ¼ of the flour in any bread recipe for a protein-rich, gluten-free enhancement. They have 30 per cent more protein value than rice, wheat flour, oats and rye, and is perfect for vegetarians and vegans, so it may well become an essential crop of the future.