Cosmos Cosimo Red-White Seeds - Cosmos bipinnatus

Cosmos 'Cosimo Red-White' is a gorgeous selection that displays bicoloured daisy-like blooms, raspberry red suffused with white. The abundant blooms appear early and continue all season long on semi-tall, well-branched plants. Easy to grow and effortlessly romantic, Cosmos thrive in light soil in a sunny position.

Cosmos bipinnatus is a tender annual plant native to Mexico and the southernmost part of the United States. It belongs to the Asteraceae family alongside Dahlias and daisies, featuring the characteristic inflorescences known as capitulums and very fine, feathery foliage. 'Cosimo Red-White' quickly forms well-branched, semi-tall clumps, about 60 cm tall and 30 cm wide. Flowering starts in July, about 60-90 days after sowing, and lasts until October (or the first frosts). The flower heads measure about 5-7 cm across and are made up of a layer of petals arranged around a golden central disc. Each petal features a white centre, suffused or edged with deep pink to raspberry red. Cosmos are a magnet to foraging insects and butterflies, including the monarch butterfly. The finely cut, cloud-like foliage resembles fennel leaves and is delicately scented. Flowers are followed by blackish, spiky seed heads (achenes).

Cosmos is an easy-going, rewarding annual that can single handedly fill a sunny slope, border or flower bed. It is perfect to animate romantic or cottage style gardens. Easy to grow even by beginners, this adorable plant with its feathery green leaves and naive flowers bring light and airiness to heavier blooms such as Dahlias. It combines well with perennial sage, Verbena bonariensis and chrysanthemums until the first frosts. It is particularly useful in new gardens mixed with poppies, love-in-a-mist or cornflowers. Its pretty blooms have a long vase life and are ideal for cutting.