Saw this very striking flower in a local venta's garden and have never seen it in any of the garden centers[IMG]2008 Unusual flower 001.jpghttp://[/IMG]

Is the picture on your PC or on a site ?

Thanks JDR, just managed to figure it out, so photo's now shown OK

where's matt when you need him?

Without seeing the whole plant or without getting an idea of size, it looks to me like it could be some form of Dianthus.

Only managed to get this flower as the heavy rain broke it from the stem. My friend thinks she has found its name Celosia Cristata (Cockscomb), certainly looks as though that is it, beautiful flower so impressive.

From this link it could well ne.
http://www.motherherbs.com/celosia-cristata.html

Wow, it's beautiful! Can I have a cutting or perhaps some seeds

Hi,

You are right it is Celosia - very lovely and looks like velvet. Looks stunning in a tied bunch with other mixed flowers.

This plant is an annual and in my local garden centre when I asked if they had any plants or seeds, he came back with a packet of seeds and gave them to me, well I had spent 35 euros on other things but how nice, wouldn't get that in the UK. The seeds are from Batlle - Celosia argentea v. cristata, they are the dwarf variety 30-40 cm, with English instructions as well so now I have to wait until next spring to plant them. So I think you should be able to get them in your part of Spain as well.

I thought they are perennial, but maybe not.

I’m sure I’ve seen this in a gorgeous honey/mustard colour.

Celosia obviously vary quite a bit. When I was at Wisley they had a fabulous Celosia Flamingo which was red hot poker shaped, feathery, and a vivid magenta in colour.