All types of cosmos are not only easy and inexpensive to grow, but also produce an abundance of beautiful flowers. They are native to Mexico, where they bloom in shades of pink, white and orange in meadows and bushes in the sun.
The name derives from the Greek cosmoswhich means «beauty and harmony of the universe», and was adopted by Spanish missionary priests in the plant’s home country, who appreciated the flower’s evenly arranged circle of petals.
most common varieties
There are three main types of cosmos widely available to gardeners: two annuals and one perennial. The annual forms (cosmos bipinnatus It is C. sulphureus) are semi-hardy, which means they should be sown under cover before winter.
Having only a year to set seed, they will flower in great abundance. C. sulphureus produces yellow, red or orange flowers, while C. bipinnatus it is usually pink or white. The perennial tuberous form is the C. atrosanguineus with a chocolate aroma, which should be grown like a dahlia.
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Most gardeners tend to grow the pink or white forms of the cosmos bipinnatus. Accustomed to pruning and regrowth (like a sweet pea), C. bipinnatus it must be harvested regularly for the vase to maintain its impressive flowering power.
It’s also a great addition if you’re looking for wildlife-friendly flowers, as their nectar attracts pollinators like bees.
other types
All these types of cosmos will bring charm and color and will attract pollinators to the garden. They include flowering annuals that can be cut and fragrant perennials that bloom in dark shades. Check it out in the gallery below!
1/15 1. COSMOS BIPINNATUS “PURITY” If you’re only going to cultivate one type of cosmos, it has to be this one. Large white daisy flowers with golden centers bloom above thin apple-green foliage. It is an excellent cut flower and will grow in moist, well-draining soil in full sun. In the iconic White Garden at Sissinghurst Castle Garden in Kent, England, “Purity” — as it is known abroad — grows alongside plants with white flowers and silver leaves (such as *Lychnis coronaria “*Alba” and ivory peas). in a garden designed to be enjoyed at dusk and moonlight. (Claire Gainey/Alamy Stock Photo/Gardeningetc)
2/15 2. COSMOS BIPINNATUS «SONATA PINK» This type of cosmos bears generous saucer-shaped flowers, featuring a soft pink color with yellow buds above the delicate, divided foliage. Because it is compact, it is ideal for filling gaps in the front of the flower bed or for use in your potted garden. Happiest in moist, well-draining soil in full sun. Blends well with low-growing orange annuals of the California poppy (*Eschscholzia californica*) or compact perennials such as blue-billed *Geranium Rozanne* and pink marjoram *Origanum laevigatum “*Herrenhausen”. (Jonathan Buckley/Sarah Raven/Gardeningetc)
3/15 3. COSMOS BIPINNATUS “DAYDREAM” This is a bright, bee-friendly plant that would be at home in an English country house garden. The small, shell-pink flowers have a magenta-pink circle around the central golden bump. Likes moist, well-draining soil in full sun. Use “Daydream” to fill gaps alongside perennials like *Campanula persicifolia* and *Achillea “*Paprika”, or enjoy it in a meadow with cornflowers and opium poppies. (Claire Gainey/Alamy Stock Photo/Gardeningetc)
4/15 4. COSMOS BIPINNATUS ”DAZZLER” Vivid crimson-pink flowers with golden stamens add rich color to the garden. It is also excellent in cut flower arrangements, especially with limes and yellows such as euphorbia or dill. Grows in moist, well-draining soil in full sun. “Dazzler” goes well with other intense colors such as Capri-pink *Salvia microphylla* “Cerro Potosí”, indigo *Salvia viridis* “Oxford Blue” and chocolate *Scabiosa atropurpurea “*Black Knight”. (Florilegia/Alamy Stock Photo/Gardeningetc)
5/15 5. COSMOS SULPHUREUS “BRIGHT LIGHTS” A vibrant mix of yellow, orange and red semi-double flowers that look like marigolds or geums. Easy to grow and flowering in summer in moist, well-draining soil in full sun. Can be cut for arrangements. Combine with other bright shades for a vibrant color scheme (like *Knautia macedonica* raspberry pink), velvety colors (like *Salvia viridis* purple “Blue Monday” and *Penstemon claret* “Raven”) and lemons (like Nicotiana “ Lime Green”). (Jonathan Buckley/Sarah Raven/Gardeningetc)
6/15 6. COSMOS ATROSANGUINEUSThe chocolate cosmos is a native Mexican that produces velvety brown daisies in the summer. Everyone smells differently – for some it smells deliciously like chocolate, while others can only detect something reminiscent of raw meat. Unlike most cosmos (which are annuals), it is a tuberous perennial and should be treated like a dahlia, in moist, well-draining soil in full sun. Stunning with reds such as *Crocosmia “*Hellfire”, or the lavender shades of scabies blue and perovskia. (Major Gilbert/Alamy Stock Photo/Gardeningetc)
7/15 7. COSMOS BIPINNATUS “PIED PIPER RED” This is one of the most striking types of cosmos, thanks to its flute-shaped petals that are magenta on the inside and pale lavender on the outside. It is a good cut flower, with feathery divided foliage, and it blooms for months. Grows in moist, well-draining soil in full sun. Grow en masse in a meadow with other types of white and pink cosmos, they will look lovely in arrangements; or use to fill in gaps, alongside perennials like *Achillea “*Terracotta”. (Avalon.red/Alamy Stock Photo/Gardeningetc)
8/15 8. BIPINNATUS “RUBENZA” COSMOS These cosmos fade as they mature, so the flowers can form a mixture of burgundy, ruby and rose. Because it is compact, it may not need staking in the garden, or it can be grown in a planter. It needs moist, well-draining soil in full sun. It works particularly well with purples (such as *Salvia nemorosa “*Caradonna”) and other roses (such as *Achillea millefolium “*Cerise Queen”) as well as different types of ornamental grass including *Stipa tenuissima*. (Claire Gainey/Alamy Stock Photo/Gardeningetc)
9/15 9. COSMOS BIPINNATUS “CANDY STRIPE” Pink-fringed white daisies above beautiful divided foliage throughout summer and fall. The width of the cherry border varies so that sometimes it is predominantly a white flower, sometimes more of a pink flower. Happy in moist, well-draining soil in full sun. Combine with whites, like *Orlaya grandiflora*, and pinks, like *Lychnis coronaria*. It is also useful for filling in gaps alongside shrub roses such as *Gertrude Jekyll*. (Mathew Taylor/Alamy Stock Photo/Gardeningetc)
10/15 10. COSMOS SULPHUREUS “COSMIC YELLOW” With sun-yellow flowers that resemble coreopsis, this compact crop will brighten up your gardens. Grow in well-draining pots in full sun, but be sure to keep the compost moist. Prune the tips, for a bushy plant, and the dead flowers regularly to keep the flowers in bloom. (Chiltern Seeds/Gardeningetc)
11/15 11. COSMOS BIPINNATUS “PINK POPSOCKS” A sugar-pink cosmos with anemone flowers, a great choice for attracting pollinators. For best results, grow it in a well-draining container in full sun and keep the compost moist. Prune the dead ends and flowers to create a bushier plant. (Jonathan Buckley/Sarah Raven/Gardeningetc)
12/15 12. COSMOS ATROSANGUINEUS CHOCAMOCHA A small version of the species, this perennial with velvety, chocolate-scented flowers can be enjoyed in a well-draining pot in summer sun, before wintering indoors. Be sure to water regularly when growing. (Thompson Morgan/Gardeningetc)
13/15 13. COSMOS BIPINNATUS “XANTHOS” This primrose-colored cosmos has a lot of charm and is compact enough to grow in pots. It needs moist, well-draining soil in full sun. For a stunning look in vases, pair it with white flowers such as Ammi. (Jane Tregelles/Alamy Stock Photo/Gardeningetc)
14/15 14. COSMOS BIPINNATUS ”DOUBLE CLICK ROSE BONBON” When it comes to eye-catching types of cosmos, you can’t find a better one than this variety. Exuding vintage store charm, these double pink blooms are reminiscent of satin flowers. Plant in moist, well-draining soil in full sun. If you’re cutting the flowers to display them in indoor arrangements, pair them with scabies, verbena, and the ever-popular dahlias. (Kings Seeds/Gardeningetc)
15/15 15. COSMOS BIPANNATUS “VELOUETTE” This one has striped or crimson-pink and white flowers, reminiscent of raspberry ice cream. Requires moist, well-draining soil in full sun. When displaying this variety in a vase, pair it with a profusion of pink and red flowers. (Claire Gainey/Alamy Stock Photo/Gardeningetc)
*Via Gardening Etc
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