Cosmos bipinnatus 'Xanthos'
cosmos
This beautiful annual cosmos has only just been introduced, but it is already starting to win awards! It is the first...
Plant description
Cosmos bipinnatus 'Xanthos' is also said to flower a fraction earlier than many of the others, so if you keep up the dead-heading, you may well have flowers from May to October. Perfect for summer bedding schemes, as well as patio pots, the flowers are also good for cutting.
Eventual height & spread
Flowering period
- Jan
- Feb
- Mar
- Apr
- May
- Jun
- Jul
- Aug
- Sep
- Oct
- Nov
- Dec
Plant features
Position
Full sun
Rate of growth
Average
Soil
Moderately fertile, moist, well-drained soil
Hardiness
Borderline hardy (will need protection in winter in colder areas)
How to care for Cosmos bipinnatus Xanthos:
Pinch out the growing tips to encourage bushier growth, and feed at regular intervals throughout summer with a high-potash fertiliser. Taller plants may need supporting with brushwood stems in exposed positions.
Sowing instructions:
Alternatively, sow in-situ in mid- to late spring in a well-prepared bed and thin the seedlings out as they grow to allow approximately 30cm between each.
GOES WELL WITH
Plants birds love in the winter garden
As frost descends and the leaves gather on the lawn, the most important colour is red because it glows against the backdrop of fading stems in muddy shades of khaki, grey and brown. Red’s the colour that fixes the rest of the palette and luckily red berri
Read full articleSowing half hardy annuals
If you are wanting to have a go at growing seeds then the easiest of all are the annuals because they are programmed to germinate, flower and set seed within one year - therefore they pop up easily because there’s no time to waste. Most will provide necta
Read full article