Annuals & Biennials

Cosmos
cosmos

Height 2-6 ft (60-180 cm)
Planting distance 11/2-2 ft (45-60 cm)
Flowers late summer to early fall
Light soil
Full sun
Half-hardy annual

An abundance of delicate, richly colored dahlialike flowers, borne among pretty, light green leaves, makes these half-hardy annuals excellent for late-summer color in borders and containers. The flowers come in pinks, reds, and white with yellow centers, or shades o f orange, vermilion, and yellow. Growing on stems 2-6 ft (60-180 cm) high, they are also ideal for cutting.

Popular species and cultivars
Cosmos bipinnatus reaches 3 ft (90 cm) high. It has white, crimson, rose, or pink flowers with yellow central disks and finely cut midgreen leaves. Popular cultivars are 'Candy Stripe' (white with crimson stripes), 'Gloria' (rose-pink with central dark bands; up to 6 in/15 cm wide), 'Psyche' (semidouble and single pink, red, or white, with frilled petals), 'Purity' (white), and 'Sensation' (white, pink, carmine, and crimson). Cosmos sulphureus reaches just 2 ft (60 cm) high and has yellow flowers accompanied by coarsely cut dark green leaves. Popular cultivars include 'Bright Lights' (small, double, yellow, orange, or scarlet), 'Diablo' (orange-red), 'Lemon Twist' (acid-yellow), 'Sunny Gold' (semidouble, golden yellow), and 'Sunny Red' (double, vermilion).

Annuals
and
Biennials