About
Dwarf Ladybird, or Cosmos sulphureus, is a compact annual that reaches a height of up to 35 cm. It features finely divided, fern-like foliage. During the summer and autumn months, it produces prominent, semi-double blooms in shades of yellow, orange, and red.
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
- Exposure
- Sheltered
- UK hardiness
- H3
Plant details
- Plant type
- Annual Biennial
- Habit
- Bushy
- Foliage
- Deciduous
- Height
- 0.1-0.5 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, Coastal
Care notes
- Cultivation
- Grow in moderately fertile, moist but well-drained soil in full sun
- Pruning
- Deadhead regularly 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