- Garden cosmos
Botanical name: cosmos bipinnatus
Beginner friendly?: yes
Average size at maturity: 2-9 ft in height and up to 2 ft in width
Bloom time: summer, fall, early winter
Hardy zone: zones 2-11
Flower color: white/pink/yellow/red/purple/orange
Foliage color: green
Growth rate: reaches full maturity in first growing season
Pruning instructions: deadhead as needed
Propagation methods: cut a stem just below a node and place in water until roots start to emerge
Landscape use: wildflower garden
Light needs: 6 hours of sun per day
Special features: attracts pollinators
Watering instructions: allow soil to partially dry between watering sessions
Fertilizing instructions : use a slow release granular fertilizer in the early spring
Best time to plant: spring
Best type of soil: loam, sand
Companion plants: tomatoes, marigolds, verbena
Toxicity level: potentially mildly toxic if ingested
Invasive species: no
