About
Cosmos bipinnatus 'Sea Shells' is a half-hardy annual that reaches heights of up to 1 meter. It features delicate, finely-divided foliage and produces unique flowers with fluted petals in various hues, including white, pink, and carmine red, all centered around a prominent yellow eye.
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
- West-facing, South-facing, East-facing
- Exposure
- Sheltered
- UK hardiness
- H3
Plant details
- Plant type
- Annual Biennial
- Habit
- Clump forming
- Foliage
- Deciduous
- Height
- 0.5-1 metres
- Spread
- 0.5-1 metres
- Time to full height
- 1 year
- Suggested uses
- Patio and container plants, Cottage and informal garden, Wildlife gardens
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