Flower for the Day Globe Amaranth 10-8-21

I am not much into containers but I really like this one for my globe amaranth (Gomphrena globosa). A native of Central and South America, gomphrena has been planted in ornamental gardens for centuries. Although not native to this country, it has a long history of use in North American gardens.  Introduced in Europe in 1714, this plant found its way to Virginia as early as 1737. Thomas Jefferson first planted the seeds at Shadwell, his boyhood home, on April 2, 1767. It continues to be grown at Monticello to this day and is one of the most asked-about flowers in the Monticello gardens. Who couldn't love little purple balls?

It blooms from June to October. I dry the seed heads over the winter and the process continues for 15 to 20 years.