Cosmos Combine Beauty with Versatility
Saturday, May 26, 2012 @ 3:45 AM
If you are looking for an annual flower that can take the heat, then Cosmos may be what you are looking for. Native to Central South America and Mexico, Cosmos are heat and drought tolerant and will grow well in most soils including poor soil. Not only are these plants able to handle heat, drought, and poor soil but they are fast growing, easy to grow and are extremely beautiful.
The name Cosmos comes from the Greek word kosmos meaning beautiful. It is also means harmony or balanced universe because the flowers exhibit an orderly placement of petals.
There are 20 species of Cosmos, but the Cosmos bipinnatus are the most common followed by Cosmos sulphureus. Cosmos bipinnatus are known for their feathery, lacy foliage and daisy like flowers that come in various shades of pink, red and white. There are several varieties available including ‘Sensation’, Sensation Picotee’, ‘Sonata’ and a variety that we are planting this year ‘Seashells’.
The seashells variety has a unique flower petal as the petals are fluted, or rolled and resemble a seashell. Cosmo flowers are also used for cut flowers and can be dried. When making a fresh floral bouquet, cut the flowers in the morning when they have the highest moisture content. Choose flowers that are beginning to open. Before placing the flowers in the vase remove any foliage that would sit below the water. The foliage above the water can be left as it adds beautiful fernlike greens. The flowers can last for up to a week.
Cosmos are one of the easiest plants to grow. The seeds are quite large and look like tiny pine needles making them easy for children to handle. Seeds can be started outdoors but because our season is so short, and Cosmos do not take frost, it is better to start seeds indoors and later transplant the young seedlings outdoors after all risk of frost has passed.
Sow seeds by sprinkling the seeds on top of the soil, then slightly cover them, and then give them water. They should start to germinate after 10-14 days depending on conditions. The young plants transplant easily. Cosmos are also available in the garden centre as bedding plants, and are available now.
Cosmos can be planted as a background as they grow 3-4 feet tall (they may need staking in a windy area). They can also be used in the cutting garden or cottage garden.
Because they are one of the best annuals for poor soils, or hot and dry locations they can be grown in those areas where other plants may have a hard time to thrive. If the soil is too rich the plants can become tall and lanky and there may not be as many blooms. They will bloom throughout the summer. Deadheading the finished flowers and trimming them back or cutting flowers for fresh flowers will help in flower production. The plants are rarely bothered by pests or disease making it an ideal choice for a low maintenance garden or for the beginner gardener.
One other added bonus, is that Cosmos flowers attract birds, and butterflies.
-Jos
Jos Van Hage owns and operates two Art Knapp Home and Garden Centres in Prince George:
Highway 16 west at Kimball Road
Highway 97 north at Northwood Pulpmill Road
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