With its delicate, airy blooms, the Garden Cosmos (*Cosmea bippinata*) is easily one of the most stunning summer flowers you can grow. Here in the States, we love it for being a super low-maintenance annual that packs a serious punch in the garden. If you give them a little love and the weather stays mild, these beauties will show off their colors from late June all the way into late fall.
Those iconic cup-shaped blooms
Here’s the lowdown on these lovely petals and their blooming habits:
- Flowering usually kicks off in late June and can keep going strong right through October.
- Cosmos produce flowers up to 3 inches wide, featuring a bright, sunny yellow center.
- The classic cup-shaped petals usually come in shades of white, pink, and deep red.
- If you’re looking for something unique, newer varieties even come in yellow or bicolor patterns. These really pop in a flower bed and are total head-turners.
- Bonus: These delicate blossoms are a favorite hangout for local pollinators and beneficial insects!
Cosmos love the spotlight
To really get that explosion of flowers, you’ll want to plant your Cosmos in a sunny spot. While they can handle partial shade, you’ll notice they won’t produce nearly as many blooms if they’re stuck in the shadows.
They’re happiest in loose, slightly moist soil. However, they aren’t picky at all—they’ll grow in just about any garden soil, provided it’s not over-fertilized (too much nitrogen actually leads to more leaves and fewer flowers!). If you’re growing them in containers, a mix of peat-based potting soil with a little sand for drainage works perfectly.
Give your Cosmos some elbow room
Growing these from seed is a breeze. You can simply scatter the seeds directly in your garden bed starting in early May, and you’ll see blooms by August.
But, if you’re like me and can’t wait that long, you can start them indoors to get a head start on those June flowers.
Here’s how to do it:
- Starting in March, sow the seeds in flats filled with a good seed-starting mix.
- After about four weeks, it’s time to “prick out” the seedlings and move them into individual pots. I recommend using a dibber (or a pencil!) to poke your planting holes and gently lift the delicate seedlings without damaging the roots.
- Keep them in a bright spot at cool temperatures (around 60°F) to grow strong, sturdy starts. Once May hits, they’re ready to be planted out in the garden or into your patio containers.
- Just remember to give them about 12 inches of space between plants—these guys like to spread out and need plenty of room to breathe!
