The Flower Journal: Cosmos
The Flower Journal: Cosmos
Here at The Flower Journal. we take a look at a new flower every week. This week we are learning about Cosmos.
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Cosmos
Cosmos bipinnatus
These flowers are a stunning addition to your garden, and as an overflowing vase, in a rambling wildflower like arrangement in your home.
Cosmos come in a range of different varieties. The common varieties include Sensation, Seashells, Picotee, and my favourite - Cupcake Blush. You’ll find them in shades of pink, white and magenta.
Cosmos have a really long blooming season which makes them a great addition to any garden where you’d like some bright colour. I’ve seen them grown in cracks along fence lines and thought they made the sidewalk really beautiful.
The cosmos flower derives its name from the Greek word "kosmos," meaning harmony or order. This name reflects the flower's balanced and orderly appearance, with its symmetrical petals and vibrant colors.
Cosmos flowers are native to Mexico and regions of the southern United States. They are also commonly found in Central America. Despite their origins, they have been widely cultivated in gardens worldwide due to their beauty and adaptability.
Cosmos flowers are highly attractive to pollinators, including bees and butterflies. Their nectar-rich blooms serve as an important food source for these beneficial insects and contribute to pollination in garden ecosystems. Planting cosmos can help support pollinator populations and promote biodiversity in urban and suburban areas.
Floriography is also known as the secret language of flowers. You can learn more about floriography here.
Balance, Come walk with me, Joy in love and life, Modesty, Wholesomeness
Plant Type: Annual
Position: Full Sun
Sow in: Spring, Summer
Height: 100cm
Spacing: 30cm
Days to Germination: Approx 14-21 days
Days to Flower: Approx 56 - 84 days
Sow seeds direct in a full sun position, or raise seedlings. If raising seedlings, don't transplant until last frost has past. When cosmos are about 30cm tall pinch out the seedlings by taking the top 10cm off. This promotes a bushier plant with more flowers.
Harvest Cosmos when the buds are coloured but haven't opened in order to prolong vase life. Cut stems at the leaf node (where leaves join to the stem) to promote further flowering on the plant. Ensure you strip the leaves on the bottom half of the stem. Vase life is 4 - 6 days.
Disclaimer
The growing guide is just that, a guide, and is meant to be taken as general information. This guide should work in a temperate climate but nothing is certain - especially with climate change altering our wet and dry seasons. This is the perfect opportunity for you to get to know your garden. What’s your climate? How much direct sunlight does your garden get? Do you get a lot of rain or are you currently in a drought? Are you growing in containers or in the ground? What is your soil quality like?
You can chart your garden and test your soil, educate yourself on what makes a healthy garden, or just experiment and throw some seeds in then tweak as you go. It’s completely up to you.Please be sure to check that this plant variety isn’t considered a weed in your local area before you sow any seeds.
I’ve done my best to make sure this information is correct and up to date by cross checking multiple sources. If you feel that something is not quite right or you’ve found something to work really well in your home or garden - please let us know about it in the comments.
I’m in Australia!
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And lastly, do you know something else interesting about this flower? Have an interesting use for it? Or do you grow it in your garden? Please let us know about it in the comments below.