Plant info

Dear Anne, I enjoy your segments on TV, although I wish they were longer. I have a question about a plant, the cockscomb, which is the celosia cristata. My pastor has some in his yard and he cut off the top of one and told me to dry it and the seeds would fall out, which they are doing? My question: is this plant a perennial or an annual? Will it self sow and return? Any information you can give would be appreciated. Susan S., Clover, SC

Anne's response:

The plant is an annual so you need to keep the seeds in a dry place until you are ready to sow them in the spring. The seeds must be planted each year because the cold temperatures of Carolina winters are too cold for the seeds to overwinter outside.