University of Maryland Extension: Plant of the Week
Cosmos bipinnatus
Text by Lewis Shell
Photo by Christine McComas
If you don’t already have Cosmos in your garden, it’s not too late to sow some seeds of this airy-leaved flower along the back of your flower bed. Alternatively, look for potted cosmos at your favorite garden center or nursery.
Cosmos belong to the daisy family, Compositae, and bear daisy-like flowers with yellow centers surrounded by petals of various colors.
Plant the seeds about one foot apart in well drained soil--and do not fertilize! Cosmos tolerate poor and dry soil. But water is essential for germination and establishment, so don’t let them dry out at least until they begin to produce flowers.
These annual flowers grow up to six feet tall in a good growing season and may require staking, but will continue to bloom well into fall providing you with flowers for show and for cutting.
