(sulphureus)
(bipinnatus)
Common name: Cosmos
Family: Asteraceae, Aster
Height x width: 1-3' x 1-2'
Growth rate: fast
Foliage:opposite, entire or lobed, pinnately cut
Flowers: solitary or in loose panicles; yellows, reds, oranges, pinks, white ray flowers; disk flowers yellow
Hardiness: annual
Soil: well-drained, tolerates dry
Light: sun
Pests and problems: bacterial wilt, canker, aphids, Japanese beetles, mites
Landscape habit, uses: borders, cutting; fine texture
Other interest: mostly native to Mexico; genus name from Greek for beautiful
Other culture: self seeds; high fertility promotes foliage rather than flowers; space 12" apart
Propagation: seed (5000 seeds per ounce) sown direct, or indoors 5-6 weeks before planting out
Species:
bipinnatus (bii-pin-aa' tuss)--5-6' tall, pinch early for bushy habit; red, white, pink, lavender
sulphureus (sul-fure' ee-us)--Yellow Cosmos, 1-3' tall, some
compact cultivars
Cultivars:
| Cultivars | species | flowers | other |
| 'Bright Lights' | sulphureus | yellows, oranges, reds | mix, 24" tall |
| 'Candystripe' | bipinnatus | white, red striped | earlier by 2 weeks |
| 'Dazzler' | bipinnatus | crimson | 4' tall |
| 'Diablo' | sulphureus | burnt-orange | 18-22" tall, semi-double |
| Early Sensation Hybrids | bipinnatus | reds, pink, white | 2 weeks before Sensation |
| 'Early Wonder' | bipinnatus | white, rose reds mix | earliest, 4-5" flowers |
| 'Imperial Pink' | bipinnatus | rose-pink, 4" across | 3-4' tall |
| Ladybird Hybrids | sulphureus | reds, orange, yellows | 12" tall, semi-doubles |
| 'Pinkie' | bipinnatus | pink | 3-4' tall |
| 'Purity' | bipinnatus | white | 3-4' tall |
| 'Radiance' | bipinnatus | rose and crimson bicolor | 3-4' tall, 4-6" flowers |
| 'Sea Shells' | bipinnatus | white, pink, crimson | fluted flower petals |
| Sensation Hybrids | bipinnatus | reds, pink, white | 3-4' tall |
| Sonata Hybrids | bipinnatus | rose, white | 2-3' tall, single, daisy-like |
| Sunny Hybrids | sulphureus | golds, red | 12-14" tall, semi-doubles |
| 'Sunset' | sulphureus | orange-scarlet | 24-30" tall |
| 'Versailles' | bipinnatus | white, pinks, reds | Japanese cutting variety |
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