About
'Cosmos bipinnatus 'Sweet Sixteen' is a robust half-hardy annual characterized by its dense, finely divided green leaves. It produces single blooms that range from pale pink to white, featuring darker pink margins and a distinctive central tuft of narrower petals surrounding yellow centers. Flowering extends from July to October. This variety is also an excellent choice for cut flower arrangements and supports pollinators effectively.
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
- East-facing, South-facing, West-facing
- Exposure
- Sheltered
- UK hardiness
- H3
Plant details
- Plant type
- Annual Biennial
- Habit
- Clump forming, Columnar upright
- Foliage
- Deciduous
- Height
- 0.5-1 metres
- Spread
- 0.1-0.5 metres
- Time to full height
- 1 year
- Suggested uses
- City and courtyard gardens, Cottage and informal garden, Patio and container plants, 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