'Sonata Pink' Cosmos at BuGa Show, Koblenz, Germany

Over the past few years a flower bed containing cosmos (Cosmos bipinnatus) has become a rare sight across the Southern Appalachian region (USDA zones 6 and 7).  Not so, at the recently visited BuGa National Gardening Show 2011 in Koblenz, Germany.

Called by some “Mexican asters”, cosmos produces big 3- inch wide red, white, pink or purple blooms. Their lacy or fern-like foliage lends a different textural feel to a flower garden.

Cosmos blooms from the late spring thru summer. The 18 – 24 inch tall ‘Sonata’ series are personal favorites. These dwarf cosmos look super planted in front of garden beds and in containers. Add a  fresh bouquet of cut cosmos flowers to your dining room table this summer.

Cosmos grows in any soil type and flourishes without special soil enrichment and heavy feeding. Overwatering tends to reduce overall plant vigor and flowering. Cosmos are sun lovers and do irrigate over exceptionally long summer dry spells.

Deadheading promotes renewed flowering and reduces the dread of self-sowing in the garden. Tall growing (3 feet or more) cosmos may require staking, whereas the shorter Sonatas do not.

Species cosmos are popular in wildflower and meadow gardens where they attract butterflies and honeybees.