This is Celosia cristata.  Commonly known as Cock's Comb, because the flower head looks like a rooster's crest before it fills out to the brain shape pictured above.

This is one of those plants your grandmother planted.  They were popular in the sixties and seventies and fell out of favor, for some reason.  I have no clue why.  They have some of the best color per dollar you can find at garden centers.  They can be found in pinks, reds, yellows, and oranges.  They usually get tall, 30+ inches, unless you get one of the new meatball versions that plant breeders seem to keep pumping out.  Those get 12" tall or so. 

They are related to Amaranths, so they are edible.  The argentea's are pretty tasty, the leaves and new growth can be prepared like spinach, while the cristata (Cock's Comb) has been used in China for medicinal purposes for centuries!  Originally from Eastern Africa, they can take heat!  When the heat spikes and most plants are shutting down various systems, Celosia will continuing growing and blooming like crazy!  They are also very easy!  They don't need much food, average water, and (wait for it!) no dead heading!  Well maybe a little.  I recommend pinching off the first bloom after planting.  This forces the plant to branch, which equates to more flowers!  After that, maybe a couple snips if a flower head starts drying out.  Maybe one snip per month! 

Because of their size and vigor, they are one of the few plants that can stand up to Sweet Potato Vine and not get choked out.  Even better, the colors both plants come in complement each other nicely!

Celosias will do well in most soils, but really thrive in soils rich in organic materials.  So add compost.  A hand full of slow release fertilizer never hurt anything either!

Blue Daze is a relative of Morning Glories, Moon Vine, and Sweet Potato Vine.  Before it made it to garden centers and an ornamental plant it was called Dwarf Morning Glory or Ground Morning Glory.    It has the same habit of opening its flowers when it is sunny as the Morning Glory.

Like most silvery blue plants, they like it dry and hot!  They are not heavy feeders, but some slow release fertilizer at the start will kick them into high gear!  Luckily!  We put Colorstar on all of our hanging baskets, so you're all set!  hang one of these, and enjoy the intense blue all season!

Also, there is a new one, Blue My Mind.  If any of you reading this has one, bring it down!  I'd like to see it.

Million Bells are not just little Petunias!  They do prefer dryer conditions like petunias and they do have colorful bell shaped flowers.  But he similarities stop there!  Well, they both have green leaves.

Any way!  These little guys love the heat!  When it is in the 100's, these will be one of the last things still blooming and pretty!  Some people may not be impressed with the small bloom, but remember, small means less energy used to make the flower which equates to MORE BLOOMS!!!  Million Bells are showy enough for curb appeal, and pretty enough for up close viewing. 

These are heavy feeders, but again, we apply Colorstar to all baskets, so all you need to worry about is watering them.

 Last, but in no way, least, Trailing Periwinkles. Or Madagascar/Mediterranean Vinca. Not to be confused with Vinca Vine!  These look just like the bedding Vinca/Periwinkles, except they have soft stems, so the trail making them ideal for hanging baskets!

If you are familiar with Periwinkles, you know that they are great for our extreme summers.  They don't mind being either hot or dry.  These are the same way!  If you could engineer the perfect plant for hanging baskets, it would look a lot like this!

I love the little guys! Even though "little" is not an apt description!  Those are 14" clapboards the the second photo over there!