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Is cosmos an annual or perennial


How to Plant, Grow & Care for Cosmos

Written by:
Sarah Raven
Last updated:

complete growing guide

Even if you only have a tiny garden – or just some pots – you have to grow at least one cosmos. They are the lowest maintenance, floweriest plants in the world. For me, cosmos is the classic cut flower and a supremely lovely garden plant. In reward for very little effort, they give you buckets of cut flowers – and they have a very good vase life too. I love to grow lots of different varieties putting together different heights and colours in pots and borders. I hope you enjoy exploring our wide selection of cosmos seeds and seedlings.

details

calendar

JAN

FEB

MAR

APR

MAY

JUN

JUL

AUG

SEP

OCT

NOV

DEC

Sow Under Cover/Plant Indoors

Direct Sow/Plant Outdoors

Flowers/Harvest

how to grow cosmos

where to grow cosmos

Soil type: Cosmos need good, well-drained soil to thrive.

Aspect & position: Cosmos need a position in full sun to flower productively

when to plant cosmos

Sow cosmos seeds undercover in March-April, or direct sow in May. Plant out seedlings once the frosts have passed in late May or June.

how to plant cosmos

sowing cosmos seeds undercover

Cosmos seeds can be sown undercover in March or April. The seeds are long and thin, so can be easily handled.

Use seed trays filled with good compost or Jiffy modules. Push two seeds about 3mm deep into each module. Water well and then place in a greenhouse or on a warm windowsill to help germination. If both seeds germinate, remove one of the seedlings a week later and leave the other one to grow on in splendid isolation.

Pot the seedlings on into larger pots when they are big enough to handle. Pinch out the growing tip of each stem when 3 pairs of true leaves have grown to encourage stems to branch and produce more flowers. Then plant out in late May or June once the risk of frosts has passed.  

direct sowing cosmos seeds 

Direct sow your cosmos seeds in May – the risk of frost should have passed by the time they emerge. 

Prepare the soil before planting. Rake the patch until you have a fine, crumbly consistency. Space the seed about 5–8cm (2–3in) apart and water well.

About three weeks later, the seedlings should have popped up. At that point, you can thin them out to about 30cm (12in) apart. Pinch out the growing tip of each stem to encourage them to branch and produce more flowers.

planting cosmos seedlings

Plant out cosmos seedlings after the risk of frost has passed in late May and June. They are happy planted in moderately poor soil. 

Plant the cosmos in full sun and water well, then add a mulch to help conserve moisture. Stake and tie plants if necessary during the growing season and don’t forget to water regularly as they grow.

growing cosmos in a pot

The shorter varieties of cosmos are perfect for pots and seedlings can be planted out from May. You can start by growing them from seed undercover in March-April, or you can buy cosmos seedlings. 

Space the seedlings about 30cm (1ft) apart in good compost. Keep them well watered and they'll be in flower by early July.

how to care for cosmos

watering

Water cosmos regularlarly, particularly in a drought.

fertilising

Feed cosmos in pots with a liquid fertiliser every couple of weeks throughout the summer. There’s no need to feed cosmos growing in borders. 

staking

The taller varieties of cosmos will need staking and you can do this in one of two ways. 

You can stake each individual plant with a hazel or bamboo cane when it reaches about 60cm (2ft), using flexi-tie or string to tie it in about 30cm (1ft) off the ground. 

Try to tie in every single one of the stems, because otherwise the outer limbs get broken off when it's windy. It may seem a bit harsh, but you won’t notice the cane within a couple of weeks as the leaves will grow over it.

The other way of staking cosmos is by using pea or jute netting. You simply stretch the net horizontally over your young cosmos plants and between bamboo or hazel canes to support it. The cosmos will then grow up and through the grid and are lightly supported. It doesn’t look great at first, but new leaves and growth will soon cover it.

With the taller cosmos, it’s a good idea to add a second layer of netting – the first layer at about 30cm (1ft), and the second at 60cm (2ft) with ultimate height of 90cm-120cm (3–4ft).

deadheading

Deadhead any spent cosmos flowers and the plant will keep flowering reliably until October or until the first frosts. Better yet, pick your cosmos and enjoy the cut flowers indoors.

To deadhead cosmos, follow the stem down from the flower and cut above the first leaves that you meet, rather than just taking the flower head off. That way, you will promote bud formation encouraging new flowers to emerge. 

If you’re picking, you may want a slightly longer stem than that. So go lower down to the next main stem leaf. The lower you go in the plant, the longer it will take for the next flower to emerge.

propagating

At the end of the season, collect seed from flowering cosmos and save it to sow the following spring. The seedlings won’t necessarily be true to the parent plant. 

overwintering

Most cosmos are annuals and will need to be resown from seed or planted as seedlings each year. 

Cosmos atrosanguineus, or chocolate cosmos, is the exception – it is a tender perennial. It’s ideal for container gardens as the pots can be brought undercover over winter. Alternatively, you can protect the plant from the cold with horticultural fleece or straw.

seasonal checklist

spring

summer

autumn

winter

pests, diseases & common issues

earwigs

Earwigs can eat cosmos flowers, but they are also useful in keeping numbers of fruit aphids down, so tolerate them if you can rather than resort to chemical control. 

slugs & snails

Very young cosmos plants and seedlings are very attractive to slugs and snails, so think about protecting the plants early in the season with slug barriers.

why are my cosmos not flowering?

Cosmos are sun-loving plants, so any cosmos sown or grown in shade will have trouble flowering. Plants that have been overfed may also produce abundant foliage at the expense of flowers.

why are my cosmos seedlings leggy?

The germinated seeds need enough light to grow strong and bushy. A seedling straining for light may grow leggy. When transplanting seedlings (either potting on or planting outdoors in pots and borders), I advise pinching out the growing tip of each stem to encourage stems to branch and produce more cosmos flowers.

can cosmos get mildew?

Yes, cosmos can get powdery mildew, which is a fungal disease that shows up as a powdery coating on the foliage. You can remove any affected leaves and try an organic solution such as homemade comfrey tonic to keep mildew at bay. 

The best way to avoid powdery mildew in the first place is to ensure the plants are well spaced and not too crowded, and that you water your cosmos plants regularly (but do not allow the soil to get soggy).

why are my cosmos discoloured and dying? 

Cosmos can suffer with what’s known as fusarium wilt, which is a fungal disease. Fusarium wilt causes discoloration of the stems and foliage, as well as stunted growth. 

If your cosmos has fusarium wilt, lift out the plant from the roots and dispose of it. The soil can also be affected, so you can either replace it with fresh soil, or avoid planting in that area for a few years. 

Some of the newly bred varieties of cosmos also have a tendency to rust if sown too late. They benefit from March sowing so they have big beefy roots before planting out. 

As with powdery mildew, good spacing between plants and regular (but not over) watering can minimise the risk of fungal diseases.

frequently asked questions

are cosmos perennials?

Most cosmos varieties are annuals, which means they won’t return year after year. You can collect the seed and sow new cosmos each spring. 

Cosmos atrosanguineus, or chocolate cosmos, is a tender perennial and will return each year if it is given protection from the winter cold. Bring pots of chocolate cosmos undercover over winter. Alternatively, protect the plant from the cold with horticultural fleece or straw.

If you are growing chocolate cosmos, you can also lift, divide and replant the tubers to propagate.

when do cosmos flower?

Cosmos will flower from July until October or the first frost if you ensure they are in a sunny spot, regularly deadheaded or picked, and fed and watered well.

how tall do cosmos grow?

Cosmos can grow over 1m (3ft) tall, but there are compact varieties that reach around 60cm (2ft).

do cosmos need full sun?

Yes, cosmos need full sun to flower productively.

can you sow cosmos in autumn?

No, cosmos is a half hardy annual so should be sown in spring.

do cosmos self seed?

Yes, cosmos may self-sow, but these seeds will germinate very late in the season and may only produce very short-lived plants. You do sometimes get seeds that have overwintered in the ground germinating the following year, but they are unlikely to be true to the parent plant.

do cosmos need staking?

Yes, it’s important to stake cosmos, particularly if you are growing a tall variety, and there are a couple of simple ways to do this.  

how to cut & arrange cosmos

Cosmos make fantastic cut flowers that last 7-10 days in a vase, with no conditioning needed. Pick fresh and place straight into water. Just remember not to pick in the heat of the day.

Get more inspiration for displaying your flowers with our flower arranging videos:

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Are Cosmos Perennials? Increase Summer Bloom Time

Featured | Flowers

ByKate Van Druff Updated on

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Prolific in bloom, cosmos can be a fantastic flowerbed stunner. Brilliant in color and magnets for pollinators, what’s not to love?! But, are cosmos perennials or annuals?

We’ve started growing cosmos back in our 2020 garden. After quite a few amazing seed swaps, I ended up with sensation cosmos and seashell cosmos.

Seashell cosmos flower with tubular petals in our 2021 garden

At the time, I didn’t know if cosmos are perennials or annuals.

Now that I’ve grown them and familiarized myself, I can talk about cosmos for days!

What is the scientific name for cosmos flowers?

Cosmos flowers are scientifically known as Cosmos bipinnatus or Cosmos sulphureus. Cosmos sulphureus (sulphur cosmos and yellow cosmos) most commonly flower in shades of yellow and orange (or even red). Sometimes called garden cosmos and also Mexican aster, Cosmos bipinnatus brighten flower beds with hues of pink, purple, maroon, and white, with many other variations.

Pale purple pink cosmos in our 2021 garden – are cosmos perennials?

Are cosmos perennials?

Most popular varieties of cosmos are not perennials as they are not winter hardy. Gardeners generally treat cosmos as an annual flower and plant new plants each year. Also, tuberous cosmos, cosmos atrosanguineus, can be treated as a perennial with proper care.

Moreover, cosmos often drop seeds and end up reseeding themselves, which may give the illusion of a perennial plant.

Fuchsia purple colored cosmos flower from our 2021 garden

Do perennial cosmos exist?

Yes, sort of. Chocolate cosmos are considered tender perennials with a tuberous root that requires care much like dahlia tubers. Native to Mexico, chocolate cosmos dazzle gardeners with their chocolatey scent and deep crimson coloring.

Do cosmos reseed themselves?

Yes, cosmos flowers readily reseed themselves! Whether by the wind, animals like bird swiping seeds, or another force in nature, cosmos often drop seeds that readily sprout the next year.

Fancy Cosmos flower with dark maroon and white / light pink in our 2021 garden

Tips to Extending Cosmos Bloom Time

If you want to grow cosmos and enjoy endless summer blooms, try some of these quick and easy tips!

Maroon red cosmos flower in our 2021 garden

Final Thoughts: Are cosmos annuals or perennials?

While we’d love for cosmos to live forever, we’ve answered the question – are cosmos annuals or perennials – with a slightly disappointed “annuals” for most and a delighted “tender perennials” for chocolate cosmos!

Either way, isn’t it fun planting cosmos from seed like Apricot Lemonade Cosmos?! Or buying new flowers to plant every year?!

Cosmos hail from the same family as daisies and sunflowers, Asteraceae. They make lovely cut flowers and they’re very easy to grow.

Side profile of a cosmos flower in our 2021 garden

If you aren’t already growing cosmos in your garden, I highly recommend them. They’re prolific bloomers and require little care in my experience.

(Of course, you can deadhead them or pinch cosmos to create more compact plants if you like.)

Sorry to burst the bubble that cosmos aren’t perennial, but I hope you’ll try growing them anyway! They’re among one of my favorites like zinnias and sunflowers.

Lots of purple cosmos flowers in our 2021 garden

Let us know if you have any questions about cosmos or any fun stories to share about growing them in your own garden! We always love hearing from gardeners who share our love of planting and caring for gorgeous flowers.

Happy Gardening!

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Cosmos: cultivation, planting and care

Cosmos is an ornamental flowering plant that makes you think of warm summer and bright sun. Once upon a time, these elegant flowers were brought to our region from sultry Mexico, they successfully took root and became worthy decorations of city squares, flower beds and private territories. Cosmos are quite unpretentious and will surely appeal to every gardener. Florists appreciate the plant for its colorful shades and ability to decorate summer compositions. You can order seasonal and other flowers in Kharkov on our website around the clock. nine0003

Features of Cosmos

Cosmos is a herbaceous annual or perennial, also called "cosmos" or "Mexican aster", belongs to the family Asteraceae, or Asteraceae. The name of the culture has Greek roots and means "decoration". The plant is thermophilic, in the wild it is found in the tropics and subtropics of the North American continent (mainly in Mexico). In appearance, kosmeya is a fluffy shrub with a height of half to one and a half meters. The stems are vertical, strongly branched, thin and flexible. The leaves grow opposite each other, their surface is dissected and quite spectacular. During the flowering season, daisy-like flowers bloom on the tops of the shoots, collected in loose inflorescences. In diameter, each inflorescence reaches 10-12 centimeters. Flowers may also be solitary. The composition of the inflorescences includes small tubular buds, painted in light yellow, and large reed flowers of various colors (white, lilac, pink, bright yellow, red, etc.). nine0003

Recently, terry cosmeas have gained popularity among flower growers. This is not a separate variety, but simply a terry variety of Mexican aster, artificially bred by breeders. Its fruits are yellowish-brown colored containers with seeds that have good germination (approximately 2-3 years).

Species and varieties of cosmea

In total, more than twenty species of cosmea are known, however, only three of them can be grown in mid-latitudes (one perennial and two annuals). But today there are many hybrid flower varieties that are no less decorative than the parent species. nine0003

Cosmos bipinnatus

Cosmos bipinnatus is a flowering annual herbaceous plant whose natural habitat is the foothills of Mexico. Branches are vertical, strongly branched. The height of the bush reaches 160 centimeters. The leaves are so finely and densely dissected that they can be confused with dill. The diameter of the flowers is up to 10 centimeters. The buds are either solitary or grow in large paniculate inflorescences. Small lateral buds are purple, red, pink or white, and the middle tubular flowers are yellow. Cosmea double-pinnate is characterized by abundant flowering, and also reproduces well by self-sowing. The species has been actively cultivated since the end of the 18th century. Now it is the most popular variety. Most popular varieties:

  1. Dazzler. An interesting feature of this variety is that at the stage of budding the inflorescences are bright scarlet, but over time they become crimson.
  2. Purity. Bush with flexible shoots and white flowers.
  3. Sonata Pink Blush. The Sonata series is quite wide, but Pink Blush is considered the most decorative species in its composition. This is a miniature culture with pink central buds and red fringing flowers.

Cosmos sulphureus

Sulphur-yellow kosmeya is an annual native to Central and South America. The species is whimsical to habitat conditions, it needs warmth all year round. The stems are vertical, branched, covered with a small pile. The total height of an adult bush is 1.5 meters. Leaves with sections that form elongated lobes with sharp ends. Reed buds are deep yellow, tubular buds are light yellow, with coral edges. The most popular varieties:

  1. Bilbo. It features velvety orange inflorescences. nine0024
  2. Crest Lemon. Miniature view (up to 50 centimeters in height). Lime flower color.
  3. Diablo. Attracts attention with bright red flowers.

Blood-red cosmea (Cosmos atrosanguineus)

Blood-red cosmea is the only perennial cultivated in our conditions, a native of Mexico. The second name of the plant - "black kosmeya" - was given to it because of the dark purple petals with a terry coating. The inflorescences have an alluring aroma reminiscent of cocoa. Leaf plates are unpaired. Although the culture is able to survive our winters, it is still better to grow it in flowerpots, which can be transferred to the house during the cold weather. When grown outdoors, flowers require mandatory shelter. Most popular varieties:

  1. Brightness. The shrub is characterized by abundant flowering. Terry buds are very bright.
  2. Antiquity. A low-growing variety with a unique feature: the young flowers are ruby ​​in color, but over time they become coral pink with a copper tint.
  3. Double Click Rose Bonbon. Differs in velvety large pink flowers. The variety retains its freshness in a vase for a long time.

Growing Cosmos from Seeds

Growing Cosmos from seeds is the most popular way to propagate the crop, while growing gerbera and some other daisy-like flowers is best done vegetatively. At the same time, cosmea can be grown both through seedlings and immediately in open ground. nine0003

When to plant

It is customary to sow the seeds of cosmea with the advent of March, as soon as the snow cover melts. Seed material is distributed pointwise, 3-4 pieces in each area, with a distance of 30-40 centimeters between them. Strongly deepen the seeds into the ground is not worth it, 1 centimeter is enough. Planted plants will bloom at the end of July or at the beginning of August. Also, Mexican aster seeds can be planted in the second half of November. In addition, the flowers reproduce perfectly by self-sowing, the main thing in the spring is not to forget to thin out the hatched sprouts. nine0003

Growing seedlings

Growing cosmea through seedlings is a more efficient and faster method of producing fragrant and vibrant flower bushes. Seeds begin to be planted for seedlings from early to mid-spring. As in the previous case, after sowing, the seeds are only slightly deepened; they can also simply be sprinkled with a small layer of soil. After that, the seedlings are irrigated with water, and the container is covered with polyethylene or transparent glass and sent for storage in a bright place. In this case, the temperature should be kept at the level of 18-21 degrees. Subject to all conditions, the first shoots can be seen in 1-2 weeks. Sometimes it happens that the sprouts grow thickened, in which case they are weeded, keeping a distance of 10-13 centimeters between the bushes. Some flower growers prefer not to weed, but to dive young cosmos in personal containers, after which they take them to coolness (about 15-16 degrees will be enough). If you do not want to engage in either thinning or picking, sow seedlings in separate cups immediately. nine0003

Planting Cosmos in open ground

Planting Cosmos in open ground is a simple process that every grower will surely cope with, regardless of experience.

What time to plant

Planting Mexican aster seedlings in open soil begins in the first week of June. The main thing is that the return spring frosts are already behind, and the height of the bushes has reached a mark of at least 6 centimeters. They can be planted at the end of spring, but, again, if night frosts are no longer expected. A site suitable for planting should be well lit and protected from drafts. The preferred substrate is neutral or slightly acidic, moderately fertile and with a drainage layer. A large amount of nutrients in the soil will lead to the active growth of greenery, and flowering will become scarce. nine0003

Features of planting

When the warm weather settles down in the yard, not very deep holes should be dug on the site allocated for planting (for tall cosmos, their size should be approximately 30x30 centimeters). Next, water is poured into the holes, sprouts are planted and the voids are filled with earth. At the end, the bed is moistened again. Keep in mind that tall cosmos will most likely need support, so immediately after planting, stick a long wooden stick or stake into the ground next to the bush. Also grown plants can be tied up. When young cosmos grow up to 50 centimeters, their upper shoots are pinched, which allows the plant to bush. Mexican aster obtained through seedlings will bloom at the end of June or in mid-July. nine0003

Cosmos care

Cosmos is an extremely unpretentious plant, the care of which will not take you too much time and effort.

Location and lighting

Bushes should preferably be planted in a sunny area. A strong wind can break thin shoots, so it is advisable to consider a fence. Also, there should not be closely spaced groundwater on the site, as this is fraught with stagnant moisture. Otherwise, consider good drainage. Plant bushes at a small distance from each other. The length of this distance depends on the variety of cosmea, but, as a rule, 30 centimeters will be enough. nine0003

Soil

Mexican aster is undemanding to the type of substrate. However, if the soil on the site is airy and moisture-permeable, moderately saturated with mineral and organic fertilizers, this will only benefit the flowers. An excess of organic matter will lead to the fact that you will grow lush green bushes, and you are unlikely to appreciate all the decorativeness of cosmea. And with a moderate nutritional value of the soil, you will get plantations with a large number of bright buds.

Watering

Mexican aster does not hold liquid well enough that it needs to be watered frequently and generously. On hot summer days, each bush is watered with five buckets of water once or twice every 7 days. At the same time, do not forget to periodically loosen the site, breaking up the compressed areas after watering. Along the way, you can weed weeds, as weeds negatively affect the growth rate of young crops. nine0003

Fertilizers

Cosmea responds positively to preparations that stimulate flowering. They are introduced at the beginning of the growing season, that is, with the advent of June. Moreover, the mixture must be applied under the root, and sprayed onto the green mass. Also, in addition, throughout the season, flowers are fed with superphosphates and organic matter (manure, humus). However, these fertilizers are necessary only if the cosmos grow in a site with insufficiently nutritious soil.

Seed collection

If perennial cosmea grows on your beds, they can be propagated by cuttings and tuber division. And annual plants after the initial planting for the first 3-5 years reproduce well on their own. If you do not want to allow self-seeding, at the end of the flowering period, cut off the flowers from the bush, leaving only a few large inflorescences. They can be put on gauze bags so that the seeds do not crumble to the surface of the soil. Mature seeds become dark brown in color. When this happens, you can start collecting. However, keep in mind that Mexican asters grown from self-harvested seeds are unlikely to inherit maternal characteristics. For this reason, flower growers rarely collect seeds, preferring to purchase them in gardening shops. nine0003

Wintering

To prolong the flowering period of the crop, it is necessary to cut off faded buds in time so that young flowers grow in their place as soon as possible. In the southern regions, in order to preserve the Mexican aster for the winter, it is necessary to cut off all the green mass at the end of November to the level of the ground surface or leave no more than 12-15 centimeters of stems. Next, the culture is covered with a thick layer of withered foliage and spruce branches. With the advent of March, the shelter must be removed so that the shoots do not sag. And in the northern regions, a site with flowers is dug up in mid-October and all parts of the shrub are removed. nine0003

Pests and diseases

Cosmos have strong immunity and resist infections, diseases and pests. The only thing is that gastropods can annoy young shrubs. Slugs and snails are quite large, clearly visible and can be collected from flowers simply by hand. And to prevent their appearance, special traps that are installed around the perimeter of the plot with plantings will help. You will need small bowls filled with beer. The beer aroma attracts parasites, they gather in traps and are very easy to remove. nine0003

The use of cosmea in landscape design

Cosmea is highly valued for its elegant inflorescences and openwork leaves. Such shrubs can become a bright accent in any area or flower bed. Often Mexican asters are planted along the fence, garden paths, borders, in flower beds, next to tall deciduous trees and shrubs. Often, cosmos can be found between the rows of vegetable crops, since the plant has not only aesthetic, but also practical benefits. The dense carved greenery of the cosmea covers the vegetables from the sultry rays of the sun, but at the same time does not completely obscure them. It is worth noting that the culture is quite friendly and does not harm neighbors. Often cosmeas are planted next to daisies, carnations, geraniums, mallows. Multi-colored flowers harmonize well with each other. Also, cosmos are often planted in garden flowerpots or pots, which are placed at the entrance to the house or next to the gazebo. nine0003

photo, flower description, video of planting, care

Cosmos or Cosmos (Cosmos) is a profusely flowering plant, perennial or annual, one of the numerous representatives of the Compositae family. The genus includes about two dozen species.

In nature, this culture can be found in the South of America, less often in the northern part of this country. Some varieties are found in various parts of Mexico.

The name of the plant in Greek sounds like "kosmeo", which means "decoration". This can be explained by the bright flowering of the bush, during which it is abundantly covered with large buds of saturated colors. nine0003

What does a kosmeya flower look like

Kosmeya is an ornamental shrub that intensively forms buds, from 40 to 150 cm high. Numerous branched, straight, twig-shaped green shoots with red stains extend from the trunk.

Leaves pinnate, dissected, opposite, dark green.

Inflorescences are round, up to 15 cm in diameter. They form singly or are part of paniculate inflorescences. In their central part, the flowers are tubular, light yellow, the rest of the flowers are reed, large, scarlet, crimson, burgundy, hot pink. Not so long ago, as a result of the work of breeders, a variety with double buds was obtained. nine0003

The fruit is a yellow or brown achene. Seeds are suitable for planting for 24 - 36 months.

Names of species and varieties with photo

In horticulture, three varieties of the cosmos plant are used, one of which is a perennial, the rest are annuals.

Cosmos bipinnatus.

An annual flowering plant 70 – 150 cm high with straight, strongly branched shoots. Leaf plates consist of several thin lobes. Inflorescences are single or collected in a corymb, up to 12 cm in diameter. Marginal flowers are painted in red and pink shades. Tubular have a central rounded part of a yellow color. This variety is characterized by abundant flowering

Varieties:

"Dazzler" is a medium-sized variety of cosmea whose flowers change color during opening. At first, the buds are bright red, gradually becoming crimson;

'Purity' - a shrub with well bending twig-like shoots and large white flowers;

Sulphur-yellow cosmea (Cosmos sulphureus).

Heat-loving annual. A variety of cosmea flower with this name is a bush 100 - 150 cm high, with straight, pubescent shoots over the entire surface. The leaves are divided into narrow lanceolate lobes. Reed flowers salmon shade, tubular golden yellow, with orange tips of the petals. nine0003

Varieties:

'Bilbo' semi-double variety with pink basket flowers;

"Crest Lemon" - shrub 40 - 50 cm high, covered with lemon-yellow buds during flowering;

'Diablo' is an expressive variety that stands out in the field due to bright red buds.

Blood-red kosmos (Cosmos atrosanguineus).

Perennial heat-loving species that requires shelter for the winter. Some flower growers dig up a bush and put it indoors during the cold season. This is a plant with numerous straight, strongly branching shoots. The inflorescences are dark red, almost brown, their aroma resembles the smell of chocolate. nine0003

Varieties:

"Brightness" - luxuriantly flowering variety with double inflorescences of various colors;

"Antiquity" is a compact shrub with inflorescences that change color during the flowering period. First they are burgundy, then orange with a bronze tint;

Abl click rose bon-bon - variety with large pink buds with double petals.

Growing conditions

Reproduction

Seeds, cuttings

It will not be difficult to grow this crop on the site. It is enough to follow simple recommendations for this.

Location. Garden Cosmos is light-requiring and will form buds vigorously when in bright light. The site should not only be open to the sun, but also protected from drafts.

Watering. Watering should be regular and plentiful, especially on hot days. 50 liters of water should be poured under the bush each time. After watering, procedures such as loosening the area around the bush and eliminating weeds should not be neglected. nine0003

Soil. Well-drained, moderately mineral-rich soils with low acidity are suitable for growing cosmos.

Top dressing. Fertilizer is applied before the formation of buds, at the beginning of flowering and during it. To do this, use the mineral complex for flowering crops.

Wintering. In preparation for the winter period, the shoots are shortened to 10 - 15 cm. The soil around the plant is sprinkled with a layer of mulch, for example, dry leaves, spruce branches, sawdust. nine0003

Planting seeds

Reproduction of cosmea is carried out with the help of seeds, and they can be immediately planted in open ground, or planted in seedlings.

Landing on the site is carried out in early spring after the snow melts. The seed is placed in small holes of 3 pieces, deepening by 1 cm. The distance between the holes should be 40 cm. Flowering of plants grown in this way can be observed in July - August. Sowing in late autumn is also possible.

Sowing seedlings

To grow cosmea flower seedlings from seeds, they are sown in early to mid-spring, using shallow containers filled with a loose nutrient substrate. Sowing material is evenly distributed over the soil surface, slightly pressing. After that, the crops are moistened with a spray bottle, covered with a film and placed in a bright place with a temperature of 20 degrees. The sprouts hatch in a week. The grown plants are seated in separate cups or pots. nine0003

Cultivation of seedlings in open ground

Seedlings that have grown stronger and stretched up to 5-6 cm are planted in open ground in the first half of June or in the second half of May, when the threat of frost return has passed.

For seedlings, holes are made about 30 cm wide and deep, filled with water and seedlings are placed in them. After that, the pits are filled with substrate and watered again.

A support is installed near tall varieties, to which seedlings are tied. When the plants reach 50 cm, pinch their tops so that the bushes become more lush. After planting in open ground, young cosmos are cared for in the same way as for adult specimens. Flowering can be expected 1 - 2 months after planting in the ground. nine0003

Use in the garden

Cosmea is often used to decorate flower beds, decorate areas in the garden that need to be hidden, decorate arbors, recreation areas.

This crop is used to create hedges. Low-growing varieties look good in the foreground, against the background of taller plants and boulders.

Most harmonious plantings with marigolds, pansies, phlox and other low flowers.

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