About
This upright, half-hardy annual reaches a height of approximately 1.1 meters and features finely dissected leaves. The plant produces an abundance of double flowers that are a deep reddish-purple, measuring up to 7 centimeters across, each with a distinctive golden-yellow center. Blooming continuously from summer through autumn, it adds vibrant color to any garden setting.
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, Clay, Loam, Sand
- Soil pH
- Acid, Alkaline, Neutral
- Soil moisture
- Moist but well-drained
- Aspect
- South-facing, West-facing, East-facing
- Exposure
- Sheltered
- UK hardiness
- H3
Plant details
- Plant type
- Annual Biennial
- Habit
- Columnar upright
- Foliage
- Deciduous
- Height
- 1-1.5 metres
- Spread
- 0.5-1 metres
- Time to full height
- 1 year
- Suggested uses
- Cottage and informal garden, Patio and container plants
Care notes
- Cultivation
- Grow in moist, but well-drained soil in full sun. Suited to annual or cut-flower borders or as a summer infill
- 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