About
Cosmos bipinnatus is an upright annual that can reach heights of 2.5 meters. It features finely dissected, medium-green foliage and large blooms that can span up to 8 centimeters in diameter. The flowers typically exhibit white or pink petals, which encircle a central disc of tightly packed yellow florets. This plant blooms from late summer through autumn, continuing until the first frost. Numerous cultivars and varieties exist, such as double-flowered types, those with tubular petals, and selections showcasing picotee patterns.
About the genus
Cosmos comprises both annual and perennial species characterized by either simple or pinnately divided foliage. These plants produce sizable, long-stemmed flowers resembling daisies during the summer months.
Growing conditions
- Sunlight
- Full sun
- Soil type
- Chalk, Loam, Sand, Clay
- Soil pH
- Acid, Alkaline, Neutral
- Soil moisture
- Moist but well-drained
- Aspect
- West-facing, South-facing
- Exposure
- Exposed, Sheltered
- UK hardiness
- H3
Plant details
- Plant type
- Annual Biennial
- Habit
- Clump forming
- Foliage
- Deciduous
- Height
- 1.5-2.5 metres
- Spread
- 0.1-0.5 metres
- Time to full height
- 1-2 years
- Suggested uses
- Cottage and informal garden, Wildflower meadow, City and courtyard gardens, Patio and container plants, Prairie planting, Wildlife gardens
- Native to
- Mexico, S US
Care notes
- Cultivation
- Grow in moderately fertile, moist, but well-drained soil in full sun. Deadhead flowers to prologue flowering season. Leave a few seedheads to ripen to selfseed if required
- Pruning
- Deadhead to prolong the flowering season
- Propagation
- See sowing seeds indoors
- Pest resistance
- May be susceptible to aphids and slugs
- Disease resistance
- May be susceptible to grey moulds