Orange Cosmos (Cosmos sulphureus) is a prolific annual flower that re-seeds liberally, so once you have this plant, you will have it return each year in abundance.
To start it off, sprinkle (direct sow) a pack of
seeds in mid-spring. The 'Bright Lights' seed mix is popular and widely
available.
The seeds are easy to collect, so it is likely
that you can get some free from fellow gardeners or at a local seed swap. If
you do not want it to re-seed in your garden, deadhead and collect the spent
blooms regularly.
This cosmos has ferny foliage and is covered
with orange/yellow/gold flowers from mid-summer to frost. It is a wonderful cut
flower, though it only lasts a few days in a vase. It is a pollinator magnet --
beloved by bees and butterflies. Finches enjoy eating the seed-heads.
It is native to the desert areas of the Americas,
so that gives you a big clue as to its growing preferences. Sulfur Cosmos (aka
Klondike Cosmos or Sulphur Cosmos) grows best in full sun, but tolerates
poor/clay soil and it thrives in heat and humidity. I never give mine any water
unless we have a prolonged period of no rain and excessive heat.
Orange Cosmos is a bright spot in my garden and
one of those old-fashioned reliable plants that is the backbone of my cottage
garden.
Orange Cosmos - You Can Grow That!
The video was produced
by Washington Gardener Magazine.
Visuals by Nicole Noechel
Audio by Kathy Jentz
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