Gomphrena Ping Pong Exp Neon Rose

Class

Dicotyledons

Division

Angiospermae

Family

Amaranthaceae

Order

Caryophyllales

Genus

Gomphrena

Species

globular

Description

An annual ornamental herbaceous plant with vigorous and rapid growth and an upright habit. It is highly valued in landscaping for its distinctive capitulum-like inflorescences, which rise above the foliage and are very attractive to pollinating insects, thereby helping to preserve the biodiversity of the area where it is grown. Easy to grow and heat-tolerant, it is the ideal choice for flowerbeds, borders and roundabouts to create visual interest, as well as in planters or window boxes to add elegance and visual movement to terraces or balconies.

Varietal description

A plant with a very distinctive spherical pom-pom-like flower, bright purple in colour, which stands out high above the foliage. The flower can also be used as a cut flower. Easy to grow and maintain, it withstands heat and dry conditions well. It can be planted in a pot on its own or mixed with other plants in a border, alongside yellow or white ground-covering flowers (such as Bidens or Lobularia) or upright varieties like Rudbeckia. It flowers continuously from May until early autumn.

curiosity and special features

It belongs to the Amaranthaceae family, which comprises around 175 genera and more than 2,500 species of plants, some of which are important both as food crops – such as beetroot and quinoa – and as garden ornamentals, such as Gomphrena globosa and Celosia.

Its inflorescences, when cut and dried, can be used in dried flower arrangements, retaining their colour for a long time.

The generic name, Gomphrena, derives from the Greek ‘gómphos’, meaning ‘nail’, and ‘phrén’, meaning ‘membrane’ or ‘diaphragm’, whilst the specific epithet, globosa, derives from ‘glóbus’ and means ‘globe’, in reference to the spherical inflorescences.

Origin and Diffusion

Native to the tropical and subtropical zones of Central and South America, including Guatemala, Panama and Brazil, it was introduced to Europe from India in the early 1700s; today it is distributed worldwide.

The name Gomphrena globosa was first mentioned by Pliny the Elder to indicate a Species of Amaranth; the official classification is instead attributed to Linnaeus.

Flower size

The flower is considered medium-sized or small, clustered in a distinctive inflorescence that lends the bloom a sense of lightness and elegance.

Leaf

Leaf has an oval lamina.

Flowering period

Flowering lasts from late spring to late summer and lasts between 120 and 150 days.

Inflorescence

Inflorescence flower head.

Leaf color

Plain colours.

Plant height

The plant grows to a height of between 0.25 and 0.45 m, making it ideal for creating arrangements with other ornamental plants of varying heights.

Lifespan

Annualplant.

Suggested planting locations

Used to add ornamental value to flowerbeds, outdoor tubs, borders, planters

Stem/stem

The stem is herbaceous; the plant has no thorns.

Flower

The flower is pom-pom-shaped, small to medium-sized, with a gamopetalous corolla and bi-coloured petals. It is arranged in small head-like inflorescences. It flowers from late spring to late summer, with a flowering period of between 120 and 150 days. It is attractive to bees, bumblebees and butterflies.

Growth

A variety with medium to vigorous growth.

Plant habit

Plant habit gives an elegant decorative appearance in which the Flower prevails over the vegetation with a strong, dominant touch of colour.

branching

Its upright growth habit, combined with amoderate branching pattern, results in an excellent aesthetic appearance.

pH

For gomphrena, the optimum pH of the soil or growing medium is between 5.8 and 6.2. A pH higher than 6.5 can reduce the availability of boron, leading to leaf scorch and chlorosis; you should also check the pH of the irrigation water in this regard.

soil preparation

Before transplanting in late spring, carry out shallow cultivation by digging over the soil, removing any weeds, large stones and residues from previous crops. Work organic or slow-release chemical fertiliser into the soil to provide the nutrients needed for the early stages of growth after planting, and break up any compacted or coarse clods. To improve drainage of excess water, continue by creating a raised bed by slightly mounding the soil and finally level it carefully, marking out the planting holes at a suitable density.

sun exposure

Grows well in half shade, full sun, afternoon sun; if possible prefer bright Sun exposures for better flowering.

Ideal climate and temperature

The optimal temperature ranges from 12 to 35 °C. The ideal temperature is between 18 and 20 °C; it also adapts well to hot and relatively dry climates.

Use

With its distinctive flower heads, it is prized for
Outdoor ornamental use Landscaping

Hardiness

A variety of moderate hardiness, it adapts to climatic conditions that are not always well tolerated by other ornamental plants.

Soil/medium

The ideal soil is of medium texture or slightly sandy, fertile and, in particular, well-drained to prevent waterlogging and root rot; for use in pots and planters, a growing medium for spring-flowering plants, based on fibrous peat and perlite, is recommended.

Maintenance

A plant that is easy to grow and maintain, the level of management effort required is low, a feature that adds value to the plant.

cultivation tips

Some valuable variety-specific guidelines for achieving the best growing results:
It prefers a warm, humid climate Exposure to direct sunlight

Composition

When combined with Bidens, Catharanthus roseus, New Guinea Impatiens, Lobularia, Mecardonia x hybrida, Petunia x hybrida and Rudbeckia, one can achieve results of exquisite beauty in flowerbeds, borders or window boxes by creating a sense of depth and movement.

planting

An average planting density of 15 plants per square metre is recommended in flowerbeds so that each individual plant can develop a compact growth habit, thereby achieving an overall composition that is proportionate and formally balanced.

Position each seedling with the root collar just above the soil surface, ensuring that the root ball is well moistened without damaging the roots, and water immediately after planting, whilst avoiding waterlogging.

Reproduction/Propagation

Propagation can be carried out using apical cuttings; it is also possible to grow from seed, either in a seedbed in February or outdoors in May.

Irrigation

Use rainwater, or alternatively tap water, either manually or via an irrigation system. Following transplanting, care for the seedling to ensure it develops properly in its new location, keeping the soil at a constant moisture level whilst preventing waterlogging, which can lead to root rot. Thereafter, ensure that the soil or growing medium is allowed to dry out between waterings, naturally taking care to prevent the plant from wilting whilst also avoiding excessive watering that leads to waterlogging. It is advisable not to water the above-ground parts of the plant in the afternoon or evening to prevent the possible development of fungal diseases.

Fertilization

During soil preparation, carry out background fertilisation by burying slow-release organic or chemical fertiliser. During the spring-summer period, following proper post-transplant settling, apply a balanced liquid fertiliser specifically for ornamental plants to the medium or soil, to be diluted in the irrigation water according to the appropriate doses and frequencies as indicated on the relevant information label.

Pet friendly

No cases of toxicity following ingestion by pets are known; assess each case individually.

Edibility for humans

Ornamental varieties are not edible.

Human toxicity

Toxicity unknown; avoid ingestion.

advise 1

In a flowerbed, if well-watered and fertilised, it can reach a height of up to 50 cm, though it usually grows to around 35–40 cm. It has a spherical crown. There is no need to remove the dead flowers, as they are also attractive with their silvery-brown colour. Gomphrena can also be grown for cut flowers; it requires well-drained soil rich in organic matter. Space the plants 10 cm by 10 cm apart to encourage taller stems. Use a support net. Harvest 3–4 open flowers. The vase life of the cut flowers is remarkable, and sometimes the stem begins to develop roots when placed in water.