This week, we’re shining a spotlight on a true garden superstar: the Cosmos! 🌸 With their delicate, daisy-like flowers and feathery foliage, cosmos plants add a touch of whimsy and elegance to any garden setting. Loved by gardeners for their easy-going nature and long blooming season, cosmos are the perfect addition for anyone looking to create a vibrant, colourful garden that’s low-maintenance and pollinator-friendly.
Why Cosmos?
Cosmos flowers, belonging to the Asteraceae family, are native to Mexico and South America but have become a beloved staple in UK gardens. Known for their cheerful blooms in shades of pink, white, magenta, and orange, these annuals (and some perennials) thrive in sunny spots and continue to flower from early summer until the first frost. Whether you're looking to fill in gaps in your flower beds, create a cottage garden feel, or add some colour to your borders, cosmos are a fantastic choice for both new and experienced gardeners.
Varieties to Consider
One of the best things about cosmos is their versatility. They come in a range of colors and sizes, from compact varieties perfect for containers to taller types that create stunning backdrops in borders. Here are some popular cosmos varieties to consider for your garden:
-
Cosmos bipinnatus ‘Sonata’: This dwarf variety reaches about 60 cm in height, making it perfect for container gardening or smaller borders. The ‘Sonata’ series features a range of colors, from pure white to deep pink.
-
Cosmos sulphureus ‘Bright Lights’: Known for its vivid orange and yellow blooms, this variety is ideal for adding a pop of warm colour to your garden. It’s more compact than the classic Cosmos bipinnatus, making it a great choice for mid-border planting.
-
Cosmos bipinnatus ‘Purity’: A classic choice, this variety boasts pure white flowers with delicate, feathery foliage. It grows up to 1 meter in height, making it perfect for adding height and movement to your borders.
-
Cosmos ‘Chocolate’ (Cosmos atrosanguineus): As the name suggests, this unique variety features deep maroon, almost black flowers that have a subtle chocolate scent. It’s a perennial variety, perfect for adding an exotic feel to your garden.
Benefits of Growing Cosmos
-
Long Blooming Season: Cosmos flowers start blooming in early summer and continue to delight well into the autumn. Their long flowering season ensures that your garden stays colorful and lively for months.
-
Easy to Grow: Cosmos are incredibly easy to grow from seed, making them a popular choice for gardeners of all experience levels. They thrive in well-drained soil and full sun but are also quite forgiving of poorer soil conditions.
-
Attracts Pollinators: Cosmos are a favorite among bees, butterflies, and other pollinators, making them an excellent choice for anyone looking to create a wildlife-friendly garden. By planting cosmos, you're supporting your local ecosystem and promoting biodiversity.
-
Perfect for Cut Flowers: Cosmos make beautiful cut flowers that can brighten up any room. Their long stems and delicate blooms add a touch of elegance to bouquets and floral arrangements.
-
Low Maintenance: With their easy-going nature, cosmos are virtually trouble-free. They are relatively drought-tolerant and don’t require much in the way of feeding or special care. Deadheading spent blooms will encourage more flowers, but even if you forget, these hardy plants keep on giving.
-
Self-Seeding: Many cosmos varieties will self-seed, meaning that you may get new plants popping up year after year without any extra effort. This adds a lovely natural element to your garden and helps fill in gaps.
How to Grow and Care for Cosmos
Growing cosmos is a breeze, and they make a wonderful addition to any garden. Here are some top tips to help you get started:
-
Planting: There are two ways to grow cosmos, you can start cosmos from seed either indoors in early spring, or sown directly into the garden after the last frost. And you can also buy the plants ready for planting straight out. They prefer full sun and well-drained soil. Space them about 30-40 cm apart to give them room to grow and spread.
-
Watering: Cosmos are fairly drought-tolerant once established, but they do best with regular watering, especially during hot, dry spells. Be careful not to overwater, as they don’t like to sit in wet soil.
-
Feeding: Cosmos don’t require much in the way of feeding. Too much fertiliser can actually result in fewer flowers, so a light, balanced feed every few weeks during the growing season is more than enough.
-
Deadheading: Regularly remove spent blooms to encourage more flowers and extend the blooming season. If you leave a few flowers to go to seed at the end of the season, they may self-seed for a fresh display next year.
-
Supporting: Taller varieties of cosmos may need staking to prevent them from flopping over, especially in windy conditions.
Cosmos are a delight for any gardener, bringing colour, ease, and a touch of wild beauty to your outdoor space. Whether you're filling a border, creating a cottage garden, or just looking to add some cheerful blooms to a container, cosmos are a versatile choice that will reward you with months of vibrant flowers.
Visit us at Kings to explore a range of cosmos plants and seeds. Let this star of the summer garden shine brightly in your space this season!