COSMOS 'SEASHELL MIX' Cosmos Bipinnatus Characteristics Culture

COSMOS ‘SEASHELL MIX’ Cosmos bipinnatus

Characteristics  Type: Annual  Color: Pink, white, or carmine red  Zone: 2 to 11  Sun: Full sun or part shade  Height: 1.00 to 4.00 feet  Water: Medium  Spread: 2.00 to 3.00 feet  Maintenance: Low  Bloom Time: Summer till frost  Flower: Showy  Bloom Description: Hollow tube-shaped  Attracts: Butterflies, Hummingbirds

Culture

Seashells Cosmos is a unique annual that produces 3 inch quilled blossoms of hollow, tube-shaped petals that radiate from the center in shades of white, pink, or carmine red. The flowers, which bloom from summer to frost, sometimes have bicolored interior and exterior tubes. Warm weather annual that is easily grown in average, well-drained soils in full sun. Appreciates even moisture, but tolerates some dry soils. Avoid rich, fertile soils. Sow seeds outdoors just before last spring frost date or start seeds indoors 6-8 weeks before last spring frost date. Shelter plantings from strong winds. Space taller plants close together for support. Deadhead spent flowers to prolong bloom, but leave enough flowerheads for self seeding.

Noteworthy Characteristics

Cosmos bipinnatus, commonly just called cosmos, is native to Mexico. It is a popular, low-maintenance, late-blooming, showy annual that typically grows 2-4’ tall on erect stems clad with medium green leaves that are deeply cut into threadlike segments. Single, saucer-shaped, daisy-like flowers with yellow centers bloom freely from early summer to frost. In hot and humid summer climates, plants may slow down considerably in late summer.

Problems

No serious insect or disease problems.

Garden Uses

Mixed beds and borders. Cutting gardens. Cottage gardens and wild gardens. The petals are like lightly fluted seashells and make interesting, conversation starting cut flowers bouquets.