Annuals – 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