Cosmos
Scientific Name: Cosmos bipinnatus
Why We Love It
These delicate blooms are a staple in the garden for most flower lovers, so it should be no surprise that these are on the list! Their bright and cheery flowers atop tall stems blow in the breeze, and are what most people picture when they think of a wildflower bouquet.
Cosmos come in multiple shades of pink, purple, orange, and white, as well as different petal varieties, giving you lots to choose from all season long. Not particularly fussy about the soil type they are planted in, these flowers thrive in almost any type of planting space. They do require 6-8 hours of full sun to bloom at their peak but can tolerate a little shade if they are getting the amount of sun needed through the day.
Despite their delicate appearance, these cut-and-come-again flowers are a true garden workhorse, and their high germination rate also tends to lead to successful direct sowing right into the ground! No seed starting trays required (unless you want to! They also transplant well). Late in the season they can get a little unruly since they will have grown all season, so choose their location with care.
Bloom Season
Summer through Fall
Color Palette
white, peach, pink, purple, orange, burgundy/maroon
Life Cycle
Annual
Vase Life
~ 1 week
Design Notes
- Cosmos love water! They do best in vases
- They add a whimsical wildflower vibe
- In the heat of summer, we do not recommend these in bouquets
- Their greens can also be used to add texture
Growing Notes
- Seeds are easy to direct sow as well as start in trays
- Cosmos love full sun
- They get tall and produce lots of blooms as a cut-and-come-again variety
- Stems might need support as they grow!
