2400 seeds. 100 days. Amaranthus cruentus x powellii. Annual.
 
Amaranth 'Hopi Red Dye' has striking burgundy flowers and stems. The leaves are also burgundy until the plant matures. The leaves as well as the seeds of amaranth are edible. The black seeds can be cooked as a hot cereal or ground into gluten-free flour. The young leaves will color your soup red. Although some claim to use the leaves as a salad green, I found it unpalatable. Hopi Red Dye is a stunning, tall plant to put in the back of the garden border. 
 
Plants that are not thinned will not reach their full height of 6 feet, but are nevertheless attractive. Amaranth will self-sow in the garden, but the seedlings are easy to pull out if you have too many.
 
Height 4-6 feet. Spacing 15 inches.
 
Sowing Amaranth seeds.
 
Sow seeds outdoors near the last frost date. Or start indoors 4 weeks early. Barely cover the seeds with soil. Full sun.