Garden Cosmos Cosmos bipinnatus
Other Common Name(s):
- Phonetic Spelling
- KAHS-mos bye-pin-NAY-tus
- Description
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Tall Cosmos offers a variety of maroon, pink, lavender, and white flowers on stalks that will get up to 4 feet tall. Many cultivars and varieties are available.
Plant cosmos in a location that receives at least a half-day of direct sunlight. Sow the seeds outdoors after the danger of frost is past and when the soil has warmed to at least 65 degrees. Rake seeds into a loose soil; planting seeds too deeply will hinder germination. Keep the soil moist for 5 to 10 days after seeding. Seeds will germinate in 7 to 21 days. Cosmos needs only basic care to provide an abundance of colorful blooms all summer. Taller varieties may need staking if subjected to high winds and frequent storms.
When the spring-planted cosmos appears to have an abundance of dried seed, do not remove the plants. Encourage re-bloom by cutting the plants back to 12 to 18 inches high. They will be back in bloom in a month and the seed that is cut off will fall to the ground, germinate in the hot soil, and increase the density of your plant population and the eventual bloom display.
- See this plant in the following landscape:
- Cultivars / Varieties:
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- 'Candy Stripe'
- 'Daydream'
- 'Early Wonder'
- 'Gazebo'
- 'Psyche Mix'
- 'Candy Stripe'
- 'Candy Stripe', 'Daydream', 'Early Wonder', 'Gazebo', 'Psyche Mix'
- Tags:
- Cultivars / Varieties:
-
- 'Candy Stripe'
- 'Daydream'
- 'Early Wonder'
- 'Gazebo'
- 'Psyche Mix'
- 'Candy Stripe'
- 'Candy Stripe', 'Daydream', 'Early Wonder', 'Gazebo', 'Psyche Mix'
- Tags:
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-
Attributes:
- Genus:
- Cosmos
- Species:
- bipinnatus
- Family:
- Asteraceae
- Life Cycle:
- Annual
- Recommended Propagation Strategy:
- Seed
- Country Or Region Of Origin:
- Mexico
- Wildlife Value:
- Attracts pollinators and butterflies
- Play Value:
- Attractive Flowers
- Attracts Pollinators
- Colorful
- Easy to Grow
- Dimensions:
- Height: 2 ft. 0 in. - 4 ft. 0 in.
- Width: 2 ft. 0 in. - 3 ft. 0 in.
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Whole Plant Traits:
- Plant Type:
- Annual
- Habit/Form:
- Clumping
- Growth Rate:
- Rapid
- Maintenance:
- Low
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Cultural Conditions:
- Light:
- Full sun (6 or more hours of direct sunlight a day)
- Soil Texture:
- Clay
- Loam (Silt)
- Sand
- Soil pH:
- Neutral (6.0-8.0)
- Soil Drainage:
- Good Drainage
- Available Space To Plant:
- 12 inches-3 feet
- NC Region:
- Coastal
- Mountains
- Piedmont
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Flowers:
- Flower Color:
- Gold/Yellow
- Pink
- Purple/Lavender
- White
- Flower Inflorescence:
- Head
- Flower Value To Gardener:
- Good Cut
- Long Bloom Season
- Long-lasting
- Showy
- Flower Bloom Time:
- Fall
- Spring
- Summer
- Flower Shape:
- Saucer
- Flower Petals:
- 7 - 20 petals/rays
- Flower Size:
- 3-6 inches
- Flower Description:
- 2-4-inch saucer-shaped daisy-like blooms are available in a variety of colors and bloom all season.
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Leaves:
- Leaf Color:
- Green
- Leaf Shape:
- Pinnatisect
- Hairs Present:
- No
- Leaf Description:
- Thread-like leaves are deeply cut.
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Stem:
- Stem Is Aromatic:
- No
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Landscape:
- Landscape Location:
- Coastal
- Meadow
- Naturalized Area
- Landscape Theme:
- Butterfly Garden
- Children's Garden
- Cottage Garden
- Cutting Garden
- Pollinator Garden
- Design Feature:
- Border
- Foundation Planting
- Mass Planting
- Small groups
- Attracts:
- Bees
- Butterflies
- Pollinators
