Cosmos bipinnatus

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Plant
ID 241 Cosmos bipinnatus
Botanic Name Cosmos bipinnatus
Common Name Cosmos, Mexican Aster
Family Name Asteraceae
Cultivars 'Sea Shells','Orange Flare','Bright Lights','Diablo','Double Peerless','Cardinal','Dazzler','Lady Lennox','Mannoth Single','Purity','Radiance'
Origin Mexico, Zone 8-11
Growth Type Annual
Bark Type Soft wooded
Foliage Type Evergreen Water Use High
No. of Species 25
Growth Habit Spreading-ascending Growth Rate Fast
Height 1 - 2 m (3 - 7 ft) Spread 0.5 m (2 ft)
Plant Overview
This colourful annual to perennial plant has upright weak vertical stems that form a bushy habit. It has thin mid green lobed leaves and the bright white, pink to red wheel-shaped flowers appear above the foliage from summer to autumn.
Leaf
Type Compound Additional Information
Shape Pinnate
The 80 mm (3 in) long mid green leaves are bipinnatisect with numerous linear leaflets.
Arrangement Opposite
Margin Entire
Colour Mid green
Size 60 - 80 mm ( 2.4 - 3.1 in )
Flower
Perfume Odorless Additional Information
Shape Tubulate
The radiate flowers have broad soft and fluted ray florets and yellow disk florets. They appear solitary or are arranged in a panicle that appears from early to late summer. They are available in single or semi-double and normally with yellow center.
Inflorescence Capitulum
Colour White - pink - red
Size 50 - 70 mm ( 2.0 - 2.8 in )
Flowering in
(Southern Hemisphere)
Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun
Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec
Fruit
Type Achene Additional Information
Colour Brown
The small seeds self sow easily and there are about 175 per gram. The seeds are viable but the plant may be reproduced vegetatively. Seed heads are normally removed to prolong flowering period.
Edible No
Bird Attractive No
Size 0 - 0 mm ( 0.0 - 0.0 in )
Fruiting in
(Southern Hemisphere)
Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun
Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec
Environment & Cultivation
Natural Soil Well drained, poor- fertile, moist, organic rich, sandy-clay loam, pH 6.0-7.5
Container Pots, tubs, planter boxes
Climate Warm to sub-tropical
Aspect Full sun, wind protected position, frost tender, drought tolerant
Pest & Diseases Aphids, slugs, budworm, thrips, spidermites
Fertiliser Liquid fertilise monthly, over fertilising will create long weak stems, poor flowers
Pruning Remove spent flowers, light prune to thicken during mid summer
Cultural Uses Propagation
Cosmos is grown for its upright habit and colourful flowers. It is planted in annual beds or along borders for its colour and is grown in small or cottage gardens. It establishes in one season and is suitable for coastal or inland regions.
Sow fresh seed during early spring in boxes and pricked out when large enough to handle. The seeds may be sown directly to prepared bed and thinned out as required and it takes 4 to 5 months to produce flowers.
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