Cosmea, or Cosmos

Cosmea, or Cosmos (Lat. Cosmos) — a genus of annual and perennial herbs of the family Asteraceae (Asteraceae) from the tropical and subtropical regions of South and North America. Twenty-five species are known. The greatest species diversity is observed in Mexico.

Annual and perennial herbaceous plants, often tall. Leaves opposite, twice pinnately dissected into narrow, linear or threadlike lobes. Inflorescences — many-flowered heads (capitula) on naked flower stalks, solitary or gathered into loose, corymb-like panicles. Ray florets are ligulate, large, purple, pink, deep red, white or golden-yellow; disk florets are tubular, small, yellow. Fruit — a somewhat curved achene, gray, dark yellow or brown.

In cultivation:

Cosmos bipinnatus — Cosmos bipinnatus

An annual herbaceous plant up to 1.5 m tall. Stem erect, densely branched; leaves lacy, bipinnate, divided into threadlike segments. Inflorescences — heads on long peduncles, large, up to 10 cm in diameter; the main color of the ray florets is white, pink and carmine.

This species of cosmos is one of the most widespread annual plants that adorn flower beds. True, some gardeners consider cosmea insufficiently refined — it has flower heads that are too large and a color that is too bright and gaudy. However, as a result of targeted breeding work, varieties with smaller flower heads and a more modest color palette have now appeared, so the plant can be selected to suit any taste.


Sulphur cosmos — Cosmos sulphureus

A herbaceous annual plant. Stems erect, branching, pubescent, up to 1.5 m tall. Leaves twice or three times pinnately divided with broad, lanceolate, pointed lobes. Inflorescences 4–6 cm in diameter. Ray florets golden-yellow or orange; tubular florets small, yellow, with dark anthers protruding outward with orange tips. In cultivation since 1799.

Position: plants are fairly light-loving and cold-hardy.

Soil: undemanding, but grow better in loose, nutrient-rich soil.

Care: timely and regular watering; faded flower heads should be removed immediately — this stimulates the formation of new buds. Tall varieties are tied to stakes driven into the soil. Feed with a solution of a complete mineral fertilizer.

Propagation: by seed directly in the ground or by seedlings.