Horti Tops® Cosmos Sensation Mixed

Cosmos Sensation Mixed (Cosmos bipinnatus)

Effortless Beauty

Cosmos embodies easy elegance. The ferny foliage and daisy-like flowers on tall, swaying stems create a cottage garden effect with almost no effort. Spanish priests in Mexico were so struck by their orderly petals that they named them “cosmos” – from the Greek word for harmony.

Growing Success

Less is more: Cosmos actually prefer poor soil. Rich soil produces lots of foliage but few flowers. Plant in average to lean soil with full sun.

Direct sow: Cosmos grows so quickly that starting indoors offers little advantage. Sow directly after last frost. Germination takes about a week.

Succession sowing: For blooms from early summer through frost, sow every 3-4 weeks until midsummer.

As Cut Flowers

Cosmos make excellent cut flowers with their long stems and airy presence in arrangements. Cut when flowers are just opening, not fully open. Change water frequently – cosmos are somewhat short-lived but the plants produce so many flowers it hardly matters.

Varieties to Try

Sensation series: Classic cosmos in pink, white, and crimson. Grows 1-1.5 meters tall.

Seashells: Unusual tubular petals rolled into fluted shells.

Double Click: Fully double flowers that look like small dahlias.

Chocolate cosmos (C. atrosanguineus): A different species with deep maroon flowers that actually smell like chocolate.

Self-Sowing Magic

Let some flowers go to seed and cosmos will return year after year. The seedlings may vary from the parent plants, creating an ever-changing display. This casual self-sowing habit contributes to the cottage garden charm.

Growing Cosmos Sensation Mixed