Have you planted Cosmos before? A beautiful flower, prolific bloomer and a butterfly magnet to boot! The plant boasts feathery green foliage, and flowers have long stems. Perfect for cutting. The flowers come in a variety of colors and shades — from hearty yellows to vibrant pinks and soft white.
I usually plant a range of pinks and some white Cosmos in my garden. They require regular watering, and I give a feeding boost about once every four weeks.
Try them in a bouquet by themselves. They are equally at home in a humble jam jar and in an elegant vase. They also round out a mixed bouquet beautifully, and the foliage adds a great softness and depth.
When to plant
Here in KY, we plant bedding plants in late May to early June, and I usually have flowers for cutting within three weeks. They are also very easy to start from seed.
Cosmos plants really take off in the hotter months, at their prime in August and September. They LOVE hot and dry weather, and self-seed. They do well in hot/dry climates like Texas as well.
Tip: pay attention to the size. When you buy the packs, it is hard to believe how big these plants will be by summer’s end — almost like a small shrub! Typical size is 4–5 feet tall. Resist the urge to over plant and you will enjoy many, many flowers.
Top mini-facts
- They love full sun
- Cosmos does well in poor soils
- Hot & dry months are best
- Great cutting flower
- Butterflies love this flower
More Articles
These articles give more detailed information on this wonderful flower:
Cosmos produces cosmic beauty
Cosmos flower seed (note: I do not have any affiliate relationship with this company, but I liked the information on their page — if you’ve done business with them, I’d love to hear about it!)