Cosmos flowers, with their vibrant blooms and easy-going nature, are a gardener's delight. Discover how to cultivate these tolerant flowers in your own garden for a summer filled with elegance and abundance.
The Cosmic Varieties
Cosmos flowers, members of the aster family, come in various types, including Cosmos bipinnatus, Cosmos sulphureus, and Cosmos atrosanguineus. These annual plants are easy to grow from seed and can self-sow in mild climates, gracing your garden year after year.
Cosmos bipinnatus:
This tall and graceful plant boasts an array of hues, including pink, white, burgundy, and yellow. With its branching, upright stems, it's perfect for cut flowers or as a pollinator attractant. Common varieties include Double Click, Cupcakes, Sensation Mix, Daydream, Afternoon White, and Bright Lights.
Cosmos sulphureus:
Known for its vibrant shades of orange, yellow, and red, this prolific species is ideal for landscaping and wildflower meadows. The popular varieties include Bright Lights, Dark Secret, Dwarf Gold, and Sulphur Red.
Cosmos atrosanguineus:
With its velvety burgundy blooms and cocoa-like fragrance, this species adds a touch of elegance to any garden. While it's native to Mexico and is technically a short-lived perennial, it's often grown as an annual in the United States. Varieties such as Chocolate Cosmos are gaining popularity among flower enthusiasts.
Planting Cosmos
Direct Seeding in the Garden:
Cosmos flowers are easily grown from seed, best sown after the last frost. Prepare a well-draining bed in full sun. Create rows spaced 9-12 inches apart for easy weeding and harvesting. Guide cosmos seeds into shallow furrows, lightly covering them with soil. Keep the bed consistently moist until germination occurs. You can sow cosmos seeds every four weeks throughout the summer for continuous blooming.
Indoor Starting of Cosmos Seeds:
Start cosmos seeds indoors about four weeks before the last frost date to get a head start on the season. Plant seeds in cell trays or 2-inch pots, lightly covering them with soil. Keep the trays on a heat mat with humidity domes until seedlings emerge. Once the seedlings have two to three sets of true leaves, they are ready to be hardened off and transplanted outdoors.
Caring for Cosmos
Fertilizing Cosmos:
Cosmos flowers are low-maintenance and thrive in moderately fertile, well-draining soil with a neutral pH. Avoid excessive nitrogen, which can lead to lush foliage but fewer flowers.
Thinning and Pinching:
Thin out overcrowded seedlings by gently removing excess plants, leaving one robust seedling every 9-12 inches. Pinch young cosmos plants above the first or second set of leaves to encourage branching and sturdy growth.
Weeding and Mulching:
Regularly check for weeds, especially when plants are young and vulnerable. Mulching with leaf mold helps suppress weeds, retain moisture, and support a healthy soil microbiome.
Pest and Disease Control:
Cosmos flowers are susceptible to bacterial wilt and fungal diseases, especially in humid climates. Proper spacing ensures good airflow, a key preventive measure against fungal issues. Aphids and Japanese beetles may be attracted to cosmos flowers. Spray affected plants with insecticidal soap or neem oil for aphids. To control Japanese beetles, shake stems containing the beetles into a bucket of soapy water in the morning or evening when they're most active.
Deadheading:
Cosmos flowers will continue blooming as long as they're regularly deadheaded. To encourage prolonged flowering, remove spent blooms with sharp scissors. Enjoy cosmos flowers as cut flowers to promote regrowth.
Harvesting Cosmos
Harvest cosmos flowers when the buds show color but haven't fully opened yet. With proper cutting, you can expect about five days of vase life. Cut stems above a leaf node, leaving at least 12 inches of stem length. Strip off any remaining leaves around the flowers for a clean stem, ensuring cleaner water and longer-lasting blooms.
Saving Seeds:
Cosmos flowers readily self-sow in the garden. You can also collect dried seed heads to save in sealed containers in the refrigerator for next year's use. Choose open-pollinated or heirloom varieties to maintain desired traits. F-1 hybrid seeds are unlikely to produce true types from saved seeds and must be purchased annually.
Cultivating cosmos flowers adds a touch of grace and vibrancy to any garden. Whether you're a seasoned gardener or just starting, cosmos flowers are sure to enchant with their beauty and resilience.
