Cosmos was one of the first bedding plants I ever grew from seed, and still remains a favourite. It provides height to displays with an airiness few other plants can match...
Cosmos was one of the first bedding plants I ever grew from seed, and still remains a favourite. It provides height to displays with an airiness few other plants can match. Tall stems carry fine, feathery foliage, each topped with simple, brightly coloured flowers, usually with a brilliant boss of yellow stamens at the centre.
While many bedding plants remain dwarf and compact cosmos grows taller, swaying above them on the breeze. Seeds are cheap, and these tender summer bedding plants are always reliable, putting on a show right through summer until the first frosts.
I love all cosmos, but some varieties hit the spot more than others. The dwarf Sonata Series has striking flowers, but the short, compact stems and stocky stature don't have as much character, to my mind, as the taller varieties.
Plant breeders have had fun with cosmos in recent years, and while those with simple daisy-like flowers are beautiful, something interesting happens when petals turn into tubes, like this on 'Sea Shells'. I've seen some really exciting varieties in commercial seed trials, like the flower, pictured above, that isn't yet available to buy. However, similar cosmos are on sale, such as the double and semi-double flowers on Cosmos 'Double Click'. It grows to 120cm, and is offered in a range of colours.
New for 2010 is the pure white 'Double Click Snow Puff', which has been approved as a new novelty variety by Fleuroselect (a European variety trial organisation looking for the best new bedding plants).
Many cosmos come in colourful mixtures, but I love growing varieties in a single colour. 'Candy Stripe' has white flowers with a pink, picotee edge, while bicoloured 'Daydream' has a deeper rose-pink centre, fading to white at the edges. For reds try 'Pied Piper Red' or the new 'Rubenza', another Fleuroselect novelty variety. Pink is a popular cosmos colour, and for a striking display try slate-pink 'Versailles Tetra' or apple blossom-pink 'Sweet Sixteen'.
Sometimes there's just too much colour around, and a fresh breath of pure white dancing at the tips of tall green stems produces a welcome oasis through summer. Firm favourites include cosmos 'Psyche White' and 'Purity', both offering restful simplicity. And that's what cosmos does best - simplicity. Nothing fussy … just pure pleasure.
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