Cosmos Xanthos and Rubinato mix seeds - Cosmos bipinnatus

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Cosmos Xanthos and Rubinato mix seeds - Cosmos bipinnatus

Cosmos x bipinnatus Xanthos, Rubinato
Common cosmos, Garden cosmos, Mexican aster

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This plant carries a 6 months recovery warranty

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A new compact cosmos, blending two popular dwarf varieties. One with pastel yellow flowers and the other with burgundy flowers. This annual plant, full of delicate flowers, offers its abundant flowering for 6 months, until autumn. Its flowers are borne on strong stems adorned with dark green fennel-like foliage. For borders and containers in the sun.

Flower size

6 cm

Height at maturity

60 cm

Exposure

Sun

Annual / Perennial

Annual

Germination time (days)

12 days

Sowing method

Direct sowing, Sowing under cover

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Sowing period March to May

JAN J

FEB F

MAR M

APR A

MAY M

JUN J

JUL J

AUG A

SEP S

OCT O

NOV N

DEC D

Flowering time June to October

JAN J

FEB F

MAR M

APR A

MAY M

JUN J

JUL J

AUG A

SEP S

OCT O

NOV N

DEC D

Description

The 'Xanthos and Rubinato Mix' Dwarf Cosmos combines two beloved varieties of Cosmos bipinnatus. Charming, with a compact habit, it offers two beautifully contrasting colours, a delightful pastel yellow and a burgundy maturing to pink. This annual plant, adorned with delicate flowers, provides a generous flowering for six months, until autumn, even in dry soil. Its flowers are supported by sturdy stems, enhanced by dark green fennel-like foliage. It adds a touch of charm and poetry to the end of the season, in borders, among perennial plants, and even in containers.

The 'Xanthos and Rubinato Mix' Cosmos is one of the many cultivars of this successful annual. Related to Dahlias, Cosmos belong to the asteraceae family. They have the characteristic flower head inflorescence. 'Xanthos and Rubinato Mix' has particularly fine foliage, described as compound, reminiscent of fennel, slightly and pleasantly scented. This compact variety with strong stems quickly forms a dense and bushy clump 60 cm tall, by 40 cm wide. Early flowering begins in May, lasting until October, only stopping with the first frosts. The 6 cm diameter heads are composed of a crown of pale yellow petals, a colour never achieved in compact varieties, and dark red petals turning pink at maturity. The centre consists of a golden disc. They attract numerous insects and butterflies, including the Monarch.

The 'Xanthos and Rubinato Mix' Cosmos can fill a container from spring to the first frosts or cover a slope or bed with great ease. It generously offers simple flowers, ideal for novice gardeners, as they are almost fail-proof. It brings lightness to the denser flowering of perennial plants while resisting inclement weather well. This annual is perfect for use in pots on terraces or balconies, in rustic settings, in combination with ash trees, grasses such as Stipa tenuifolia, Verbena Venosa, or among other sun-loving flowers like bidens and rudbeckias. The pure flowers also hold up very well in a vase.

Flowering

Flower colour two-tone

Flowering time June to October

Inflorescence Flower head

Flower size 6 cm

Bee-friendly Attracts pollinators

Foliage

Foliage persistence Annual

Foliage colour dark green

Foliage description Pinnate dark green leaves, slightly fragrant.

Plant habit

Height at maturity 60 cm

Spread at maturity 40 cm

Growth rate fast

Botanical data

Genus

Cosmos

Species

x bipinnatus

Cultivar

Xanthos, Rubinato

Family

Asteraceae

Other common names

Common cosmos, Garden cosmos, Mexican aster

Origin

Cultivar or hybrid

Product reference • 20478

Planting and care

Sow Cosmos Xanthos and Rubinato Mix seeds from March to May, at a depth of 3mm, in a fine compost and cover the seeds with a very light sprinkle of vermiculite. Place the sowing in a propagator at a temperature of 18-25°C or wrap it in a polythene bag. Keep the soil moist but not waterlogged. Light promotes germination, which occurs 7 to 15 days after sowing. When the seedlings are large enough to handle, transplant them into individual pots with a diameter of 7cm. Grow them in cooler conditions until the plants are sufficiently developed to be planted outdoors. Once all risk of frost has passed, gradually acclimatise the plants to outdoor conditions over 7 to 10 days. Plant them in full sun, in moist, well-drained soil, spaced 45cm apart. Pinch the tips of the shoots on each stem during transplantation to encourage stem branching and the production of numerous flowers. Once the frosts have passed, Cosmos can also be directly sown in place in open ground.

Cosmos prefer a soil pH between 6 and 8.5, corresponding to their original habitat soil in the alkaline regions of Central America. They prefer full sun but tolerate partial shade. These plants are drought-resistant once established and not very prone to diseases, but may be targeted by aphids. Spontaneous seedlings are common but not always true, without becoming invasive.