cosmos
Cosmos sulphureus
Overview
Cosmos sulphureus is a beautiful, hardy annual with bright yellow blooms that will bring a cheerful radiance to any garden. It has a fast growth habit and blooms for months. The flowers are easy to grow and require minimal caring. They have an excellent tolerance to drought and survive in any soil type with adequate sunlight. The flowers bring additional benefits such as attracting birds, butterflies and other beneficial insects to the garden. Adding this cheerful addition to your garden will be sure to brighten up any outdoor space.
Care Guide
Watering
Cosmos plants need to be watered regularly in order to keep their soil moderately moist. They don't need a lot of water, so be careful not to overwater them. Aim to water around once a week, though this may vary depending on the time of year and the soil you have - during the summer months water more frequently whereas during the colder months you can water slightly less. Ensure that when you do water, you water deeply to give the roots enough moisture - around 2-3 inches of water is ideal.
Light
Cosmos sulphureus requires plenty of full sun in order to thrive. It prefers at least 6 hours of direct sunlight per day, but the more direct, unobstructed sunlight it receives, the better. When grown in a partially shaded area, this species of cosmos will not produce as many blooms as it would if grown in a sunny location.
Temperature
Hardiness zone 2-11.
Pruning
The best time to prune cosmos is in the late winter or early spring before or just as they begin to put out new foliage. If the flowers on your cosmos have already bloomed, then you can wait until late summer or early fall for your next pruning session. When pruning, you should remove about 1/3 of the plant by cutting it back to within several inches of the ground. This encourages bushier plants with more flowers. Deadheading or removing faded flowers throughout the season will also encourage more blooms.
Propagation
Seed Propagation, Division, Cutting, Layering Propagation
Uses & Symbolism
Attracts: Butterflies.
Related plants
Other plants you might like if you grow cosmos.
