Cosmos: Radiance (Cosmos bipinnatus)
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$1.00
$1.00 - $5.60
$1.00
per item
Because of their Mexican heritage, these bright annuals meet high heat and drought conditions with native beauty and vigor. Spanish conquistadors searching for gold discovered these flowers on their journeys through Mexico. Mission gardens often included these flowers, which priests gave the name “cosmos,” the Greek word for a harmonious whole, because of their neatly spaced petals. Cosmos flowers made their way to England with Spanish ambassadors in the late 18th century, and to the United States in the following century.
Scientific Name: Cosmos bipinnatus
Also Known As: Mexican Aster, Garden Cosmos
Ease of Growing: Easy
Grown as: Annual
Maturity (Bloom): Summer-Fall
Hardiness: Tender. It is really important to plant out well after your last frost date.
Light: Full Sun.
Water: Dry to Medium. Excessively drained. Well drained, soil remains moist for a short period after precipitation.
Suitability: Drought tolerant, Tolerates poor soil.
Containers: Suitable in 3 gallon or larger
Attracts Beneficial Insects?: Yes. Bees, Birds, and Butterflies.
Pollinators: Bee's, Butterflies, and Moths.
Height: 36-60”
Spacing: 15-18”
USDA Zone: 3a-9b
Produces: finely divided, feathery green foliage and 2-3” flowers with yellow centers and wide, scallop-edged petals of medium pink that darkens to bright pink or fuschia at the center.
Also Known As: Mexican Aster, Garden Cosmos
Ease of Growing: Easy
Grown as: Annual
Maturity (Bloom): Summer-Fall
Hardiness: Tender. It is really important to plant out well after your last frost date.
Light: Full Sun.
Water: Dry to Medium. Excessively drained. Well drained, soil remains moist for a short period after precipitation.
Suitability: Drought tolerant, Tolerates poor soil.
Containers: Suitable in 3 gallon or larger
Attracts Beneficial Insects?: Yes. Bees, Birds, and Butterflies.
Pollinators: Bee's, Butterflies, and Moths.
Height: 36-60”
Spacing: 15-18”
USDA Zone: 3a-9b
Produces: finely divided, feathery green foliage and 2-3” flowers with yellow centers and wide, scallop-edged petals of medium pink that darkens to bright pink or fuschia at the center.
Soil Preference:
Soil pH: 6.6-7.8, Cosmos prefer to be in weakly acidic soil - weakly alkaline soil.
Soil pH: 6.6-7.8, Cosmos prefer to be in weakly acidic soil - weakly alkaline soil.
In early spring or after the last frost, scatter the seeds on the surface of loose soil. Keep the soil lightly moist until germination, which should take place within 10-20 days at soil temperatures from 65-75 degrees F. Cooler soil temperatures may delay germination. Seedlings do not need to be thinned, but can be transplanted if they appear too crowded. Since these seeds germinate quickly in warm soil, they can be sown at any time before midsummer for another crop of flowers. To start the seed indoors, sow on the surface of a flat 6-8 weeks before the last frost of spring; keep the soil evenly moist and at a temperature of 70-75 degrees F until germination. When there is no chance of frost, transplant them outdoors. The soil does not need to be rich, but it must be well-drained; light shade is tolerated, but will dramatically lessen the amount of blooms.
Water these plants regularly until they begin to bloom; at this point they become quite drought tolerant. This flower must not be over-watered, and grows well in drought conditions and heat; if prolonged drought occurs, give the plants occasional deep watering. If blooming begins to decrease, cut the plant back to 12” for new growth; more blossoms will come in about 4 weeks. Tall plants may need support or staking. If allowed to self-seed, this flower will produce a new crop of flowers next year. This flower attracts birds, butterflies, and bees.
In order to prolong flowering, you should deadhead the plants (remove the dead/faded flowers).
Because some of these plants can grow really tall, staking may be necessary.
Water regularly, but make sure you don't over-water the plants. Over-watering and over-fertilization can lead to plants with fewer flowers.
Cosmos beds may become weedy due to the fact that they self-seed, so remember to check them.
Because some of these plants can grow really tall, staking may be necessary.
Water regularly, but make sure you don't over-water the plants. Over-watering and over-fertilization can lead to plants with fewer flowers.
Cosmos beds may become weedy due to the fact that they self-seed, so remember to check them.
Cosmos blossoms make lovely, long lasting cut flowers. Cut long stems of blossoms that have just opened, and remove any foliage that will fall below the water level. These flowers usually have a vase life of 7-10 days. Cosmos blossoms also make attractive dried flowers.
Allow the flowers to drop their petals and develop into spiky seed heads. When ripe, the heads will be brown or dark brown and easily broken apart to reveal the narrow, sharp seeds. Remove the ripe seed heads and spread them out to dry away from direct sunlight. When they have completely dried, break apart the heads to separate the seeds from the husk. Store the cleaned seed in a cool, dry place.
Vegetable companions:
Tomatoes: Cosmos and tomatoes get along like old friends. Cosmos attract bees and other friendly pollinators, which often pay a visit to tomatoes while they’re in the neighborhood. As a result, tomato fruit set is increased. For the same reason, cosmos is a beneficial neighbor to squash and many other blooming vegetables.
Beets: Beets actually do fine without cosmos, so what’s the reasoning behind this combination? It’s mainly aesthetic, as the dark red beet leaves are striking against the colorful blooms and lacy foliage of the cosmos plant.
Cosmos flower companion plants:
Cannas: This tall, sturdy, stately plant bears unique blooms in colors ranging from yellow to pink and red, all on tall, stiff stalks. Dwarf varieties of canna are also available.
Marigolds (Tagetes): Marigolds are familiar, hardworking annuals valued for their orange, yellow or rusty red blooms borne on single, sturdy stems.
Crocosmia: Also known as Monbretia, crocosmia is an interesting plant with bright orange or red funnel-shaped blooms rising above clumps of sword-shaped leaves.
Helenium: Also known as sneezeweed or Helen’s flower, this is a reliable plant that blooms profusely from midsummer to autumn. Helenium comes in shades of rich gold, burnt orange, yellow, mahogany, burgundy and rust.
Dianthus: Also known as Indian pink or China pink, dianthus are neat, shrubby plants blooming in shades of white, pink and red with pink edges.
Poppy: Poppies, a group of colorful plants that include annuals, tender perennials and biennials, are beloved for their cup-shaped blooms in intense shades of every color except blue.
Verbena: The rugged verbena plant produces dark green foliage and clusters of small, flat blooms in a variety of bright colors.
Cleome: Also known as spider flower, cleome is a fast-growing annual with masses of spiky blooms from early summer until the first frost. Cleome is available in shades of white and pink, as well as a unique shade of purple.
Plant Cosmos throughout the garden. Bad insects won't come near it, but it will attract pollinating wasps, green metallic, sweat, and longhorned bees, lacewings, hoverflies, mini-wasps, and pirate, damsel, and big-eyed bugs.
These beneficial insects feed on many different garden pests including: aphids, mealybugs, thrips, small caterpillars, mites, moth eggs, some scales, armyworms, codling moths, European corn borer, flies, gypsy moths, cabbageworms, leaf hopper nymph, insect eggs, tarnished plant bugs, and treehoppers.
Tomatoes: Cosmos and tomatoes get along like old friends. Cosmos attract bees and other friendly pollinators, which often pay a visit to tomatoes while they’re in the neighborhood. As a result, tomato fruit set is increased. For the same reason, cosmos is a beneficial neighbor to squash and many other blooming vegetables.
Beets: Beets actually do fine without cosmos, so what’s the reasoning behind this combination? It’s mainly aesthetic, as the dark red beet leaves are striking against the colorful blooms and lacy foliage of the cosmos plant.
Cosmos flower companion plants:
Cannas: This tall, sturdy, stately plant bears unique blooms in colors ranging from yellow to pink and red, all on tall, stiff stalks. Dwarf varieties of canna are also available.
Marigolds (Tagetes): Marigolds are familiar, hardworking annuals valued for their orange, yellow or rusty red blooms borne on single, sturdy stems.
Crocosmia: Also known as Monbretia, crocosmia is an interesting plant with bright orange or red funnel-shaped blooms rising above clumps of sword-shaped leaves.
Helenium: Also known as sneezeweed or Helen’s flower, this is a reliable plant that blooms profusely from midsummer to autumn. Helenium comes in shades of rich gold, burnt orange, yellow, mahogany, burgundy and rust.
Dianthus: Also known as Indian pink or China pink, dianthus are neat, shrubby plants blooming in shades of white, pink and red with pink edges.
Poppy: Poppies, a group of colorful plants that include annuals, tender perennials and biennials, are beloved for their cup-shaped blooms in intense shades of every color except blue.
Verbena: The rugged verbena plant produces dark green foliage and clusters of small, flat blooms in a variety of bright colors.
Cleome: Also known as spider flower, cleome is a fast-growing annual with masses of spiky blooms from early summer until the first frost. Cleome is available in shades of white and pink, as well as a unique shade of purple.
Plant Cosmos throughout the garden. Bad insects won't come near it, but it will attract pollinating wasps, green metallic, sweat, and longhorned bees, lacewings, hoverflies, mini-wasps, and pirate, damsel, and big-eyed bugs.
These beneficial insects feed on many different garden pests including: aphids, mealybugs, thrips, small caterpillars, mites, moth eggs, some scales, armyworms, codling moths, European corn borer, flies, gypsy moths, cabbageworms, leaf hopper nymph, insect eggs, tarnished plant bugs, and treehoppers.
Suggested varieties
Beets: Cylindra (Heirloom) (Beta vulgaris)
$1.00 - $5.60
Though Cylindra heirloom beets hail from Denmark, beets seem to have originated in the Mediterranean region, where people grew them for thousands of years. Later, beets grew in Germany and Holland and were used as cattle fodder; they were later imported to England for this purpose, but the poor began to raise them for an affordable food source. American colonists later brought them to the New World, where they became a commonly enjoyed food both for their roots and their greens. According to historians, George Washington experimented with beets, cross-pollinating them to create new varieties.
Beets: Detroit Dark Red (Heirloom) (Beta vulgaris)
$1.00 - $5.60
Detroit Dark Red heirloom beets hail from Ontario, Canada, where a Mr. Reeves developed them from blood turnips. This globular beet first made its appearance in 1892. However, beets seem to have originated in the Mediterranean region, where people grew them for thousands of years. Later, beets grew in Germany and Holland and were used as cattle fodder; they were later imported to England for this purpose, but the poor began to raise them for an affordable food source. American colonists later brought them to the New World, where they became a commonly enjoyed food both for their roots and their greens.
Beets: Golden Detroit (Heirloom) (Beta vulgaris)
$1.00 - $5.60
Sold out
Beets seem to have originated in the Mediterranean region, where people grew them for thousands of years. Later, beets grew in Germany and Holland and were used as cattle fodder; they were later imported to England for this purpose, but the poor began to raise them for an affordable food source. American colonists later brought them to the New World, where they became a commonly enjoyed food both for their roots and their greens. According to historians, George Washington experimented with beets, cross-pollinating them to create new varieties.
Squash, Summer: Dark Green Zucchini (Heirloom) (Cucurbita pepo)
$1.00 - $5.60
This is the traditional, reliable zucchini that just keeps on producing! Fruits are dark green, and nice and straight! Matures in about 60 days. Average water needs. Attractive to bees, butterflies, and/or birds.
Squash, Summer: Dixie (Cucurbita pepo)
$1.00 - $5.60
Sold out
Dixie is a smooth skin hybrid yellow crookneck that consistently produces high yields of excellent quality fruit. The 5-6" long fruits are early-maturing, uniform, lemony yellow in color and holds well after picking and tastiest when 4-6" long. Low in calories and a good source of vitamin A . This variety is excellent for freezing and canning.
Squash, Summer: Early White Bush Scallop (Heirloom) (Cucurbita pepo)
$1.00 - $5.60
With a delicate, mild flavor, much akin to zucchini, the scallop squash, is a small variety of summer squash. Lesser known than its relatives yellow squash or zucchini, patty pans have a distinct shape which some people describe as similar to a flying saucer.
Squash, Summer: Early Yellow Crookneck (Heirloom) (Cucurbita pepo)
$1.00 - $5.60
Crookneck Squash is part of the original "three sisters" plantings found by colonists when they arrived in the new world. Native American's used the grouping of corn, beans and crookneck squash so the plants all would benefit each other. Crookneck squash was a crucial food source for the American settlers and has been sold since 1928.
Squash, Summer: Grey Zucchini (Heirloom) (Cucurbita pepo)
$1.00 - $5.60
History records that Columbus carried this then unfamiliar member of the cucumber family back to Europe after his first voyage. In Italy it acquired the name "zucchino," meaning a small squash; the French name for a zucchini, which the English later adopted, is "courgette." Italian immigrants later brought the zucchini back to the United States, where it became the most popular and commonly available variety of summer squash.
Squash, Summer: Scallop Yellow Bush (Heirloom) (Cucurbita pepo)
$1.00 - $5.60
This colorful patty pan squash predates the arrival of Christopher Columbus in the New World. It is a rare Native American squash, having been domesticated in North America centuries before the arrival of explorers and settlers.
Squash, Winter: Sweet Meat (Heirloom) (Cucurbita maxima)
$1.00 - $5.60
Winter squash such as Sweet Meat comes from the Native Americans, developed and cultivated in their gardens long before the arrival of the explorers and settlers. Traditionally, squash was grown alongside beans and corn as part of the "three sisters" group; these three vegetables greatly benefit each others' growth. Sweet Meat heirloom squash, a northwestern favorite, was introduced by Gill Brothers Seed Company of Portland, Oregon.
Squash, Winter: Vegetable Spaghetti (Heirloom) (Cucurbita maxima)
$1.00 - $5.60
Originally from China, vegetable spaghetti squash was introduced to Japan in 1921 by a Chinese agricultural research company. The Burpee Seed Company introduced this variety to the United States in 1936; most World War II Victory Gardens contained this squash, more commonly known as spaghetti squash.
Squash, Winter: Waltham Butternut (Heirloom) (Cucurbita maxima)
$1.00 - $5.60
Waltham Butternut Squash is of uniform shape with a hard rind that keeps exceptionally well. Created by Bob Young of Waltham Massachusetts, it was introduced commercially in 1977. Waltham Butternut Winter Squash won the AAS Award in 1970 and has continued to set the standard for butternut squash.