Chocolate cosmos, Cosmos atrosanguineus, is a tender Mexican perennial grown as much for its scent of vanilla and hot chocolate as for its dusky brownish-red late-summer blooms. It's perfect for growing i a hot sunny garden, and makes an exotic cut flower.
Grow Cosmos atrosanguineus as a tuberous dahlia, in moist but well-drained soil in full sun. In northern regions, lift the tubers to overwinter indoors. Alternatively mulch well in autumn or raise in pots which you can move indoors.
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Cosmos and wildlife
Cosmos is known for attracting bees, beneficial insects, birds, butterflies/moths and other pollinators. It has nectar/pollen rich flowers and has seeds for birds.
