ORANGE COSMOS
Cosmos sulphureus

Annual. A percentage may self-seed
Mature size: 3-4 feet tall.
Hardiness zones 2-11
Exposure: prefers full sun
DTM: 60-75 days
Seeds collected: September through November 2024
Germination rate: 70%

Planting Instructions:

Direct sow well after the threat of frost has passed. Loosen soil to 8 inches deep and scatter seeds broadly. Cover with only a ¼ inch of soil and water in. Allow wispy plants to grow closely together to support each other, but if they are too crowded, powdery mildew may form. After germination thin seedlings that are less than 10 inches apart and transplant throughout garden.

Cosmos can be slower to germinate (even up to 2 months for seedlings to grow appreciably) but don’t give up! Mark the planting zone so you don’t accidentally weed the seedlings.

Once they appear, cosmos are low maintenance and grow tall with beautiful flowers into the Fall. Cosmos flowers look similar to daisies. Deadhead your plants to encourage more blooms.