Cosmos
- Height × spread
- 0.3m – 2m × 0.3m – 0.5m
- Position
- Full sun
Availability
Generally available in late Spring & Summer
Many plants are seasonal. Call 01234 567890 to check current stock.
About this plant
There are a number of annual and perennial forms of the much loved Cosmos. They include the glorious 'Chocolate Cosmos' (Cosmos atrosanguineus) with small, rich chocolate brown flowers, smelling lovely and carried on long wavy stems. The other variants are forms of Cosmos bipinnatus and Cosmos sulphureus. There are many hybrids. These have flowers in shades of white, pink, red, yellow and orange. The flowers are generally simple, but may have interesting features such as 'quilled' petals. They are lovely fresh plants that have a long season in flower. The orange flowered Cosmos sulphureus stands 2 metres high, most hybrids are a metre or less in height.
- Flower colour
- Black, Orange, Pink, Purple, Red, White, Yellow
- Foliage colour
- Green
- Variegated
- No
- Scent
- Yes, some varieties
- Shape
- Column
- Height
- 0.3m – 2m
- Spread
- 0.3m – 0.5m
- Season of interest
- Summer, Autumn
- Evergreen
- Deciduous
- Garden style
- Small scale garden, Seaside garden, Scented garden, Mediterranean garden, Gravel garden, Cottage garden
- Sun or shade
- Likes full sun
- Soil type
- Chalk, Loam (normal)
- Soil pH
- All types
- Drainage
- Moisture retentive soil, Well drained soil
- Winter hardiness
- Varies, most are not hardy
- Borders & containers
- Borders
- Use for
- Bedding plant, Bee attraction, Bird attraction
- Hazards
- No
Spring
Spring-Autumn · Outdoors
Water in dry periods
Established plants in the ground can cope with 7-10 days of dryness, and shrubs often manage 2 to 3 weeks. Water one section of the garden thoroughly each day rather than a little everywhere. Check plants in pots more often, especially in hot weather.
Summer
Summer - early · Outdoors
Apply slow release fertiliser
Apply a slow release fertiliser which is spread around the root area of the plants soon after they have come into growth. (Or apply a liquid feed at regular intervals throughout the growing season.)
This is a simple way to provide a nutrient boost as a single annual procedure.
Planting & general
Outdoors
Feed & mulch some rose varieties differently
To keep roses healthy and produce more flowers, feed during the growing season before and after flowering. Roses in containers should be fed more often than those planted in the ground, every two weeks from mid spring to late summer. Adding a mulch around the base of a rose will trap moisture and enrich the soil as it biodegrades.
Outdoors
Water some varieties differently
Some plants within this genus have additional requirements for water. It is best to look up your specific plant, or the species it belongs to for watering guidance.
Planting
Deadhead blooms during flowering season
Remove flowers as they turn brown and fade. Snip the stem just below the bloom. This will keep the plant tidy and encourage more flowers.
The removal of spent flowers encourages the plant to produce fresh ones, rather than spend its energy on the development of seeds.
Compost · Planting
Multi-purpose compost
Use a good quality peat-free multi-purpose compost when growing in pots and containers.
Found in
More Cosmos
Cosmos atrosanguineus Chocamocha = 'Thomocha'
Chocolate cosmos
Cosmos atrosanguineus
Chocolate cosmos
Cosmos atrosanguineus Black Forest = 'Raymos'
Chocolate cosmos
Cosmos atrosanguineus Cherry Chocolate = 'Vg001'
Chocolate cosmos
Cosmos bipinnatus
Mexican aster, Tall cosmos
Cosmos bipinnatus
Mexican aster, Tall cosmos
Cosmos bipinnatus 'Apricotta'
Mexican aster
Cosmos bipinnatus 'Candy Stripe'
Mexican aster, Tall cosmos