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Cosmos bipinnatus - Cav.

Common Name Cosmos, Garden cosmos, Common Cosmos
Family Asteraceae or Compositae
USDA hardiness 8-11
Known Hazards None known
Habitats Roadsides and waste places[43].
Range Southern N. America - Mexico.
Edibility Rating    (0 of 5)
Other Uses    (1 of 5)
Weed Potential Yes
Medicinal Rating    (0 of 5)
Care (info)
Half Hardy Well drained soil Moist Soil Full sun
Cosmos bipinnatus Cosmos, Garden cosmos, Common Cosmos


Cosmos bipinnatus Cosmos, Garden cosmos, Common Cosmos
http://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/User:Ram-ManCotinus coggygria

 

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Summary

Bloom Color: Pink, Red, White. Main Bloom Time: Early fall, Late summer, Mid summer. Form: Upright or erect.


Physical Characteristics

 icon of manicon of flower
Cosmos bipinnatus is a ANNUAL growing to 1 m (3ft 3in).
See above for USDA hardiness. It is hardy to UK zone 9. It is in flower from August to September. The species is hermaphrodite (has both male and female organs) and is pollinated by Bees, Lepidoptera (Moths & Butterflies).
It is noted for attracting wildlife.
Suitable for: light (sandy) and medium (loamy) soils, prefers well-drained soil and can grow in nutritionally poor soil. Suitable pH: mildly acid, neutral and basic (mildly alkaline) soils. It cannot grow in the shade. It prefers dry or moist soil and can tolerate drought.

UK Hardiness Map US Hardiness Map

Synonyms

Plant Habitats

 Cultivated Beds;

Edible Uses

None known

References   More on Edible Uses

Medicinal Uses

Plants For A Future can not take any responsibility for any adverse effects from the use of plants. Always seek advice from a professional before using a plant medicinally.


None known

References   More on Medicinal Uses

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Other Uses

Popular as an ornamental plant in temperate climate gardens. Landscape Uses: Border, Container, Foundation, Massing, Specimen.

Special Uses

Attracts Wildlife

References   More on Other Uses

Cultivation details

Landscape Uses:Border, Container, Foundation, Massing, Specimen. Succeeds in a sunny sheltered position in most soils[175] but prefers one that is poor and light[108]. A very ornamental plant[200], the flowers are very attractive to bees[108]. There are many named forms selected for their ornamental value[200]. Special Features: North American native, Naturalizing, Wetlands plant, Attracts butterflies, Suitable for cut flowers.

References   Carbon Farming Information and Carbon Sequestration Information

Temperature Converter

Type a value in the Celsius field to convert the value to Fahrenheit:

Fahrenheit:

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The PFAF Bookshop

Plants For A Future have a number of books available in paperback and digital form. Book titles include Edible Plants, Edible Perennials, Edible Trees,Edible Shrubs, Woodland Gardening, and Temperate Food Forest Plants. Our new book is Food Forest Plants For Hotter Conditions (Tropical and Sub-Tropical).

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Plant Propagation

Seed - sow March in a greenhouse. The seed usually germinates in 5 - 7 days at 20 - 25°c[164]. When they are large enough to handle, prick the seedlings out into individual pots and plant them out in early summer. Especially in areas with hot summers, the seed can also be sown in situ in May[164].

Other Names

If available other names are mentioned here

Cosmos, Garden cosmos, Common Cosmos or Mexican aster.

Native Range

NORTHERN AMERICA: United States (Arizona (south)), Mexico (Baja California Sur, Chihuahua, Coahuila de Zaragoza, Durango, Nuevo León, San Luis Potosí, Sinaloa, Sonora, Zacatecas (south)), Mexico (Aguascalientes, Chiapas, Ciudad de México, Guanajuato, Guerrero, Hidalgo, Jalisco, México, Michoacán de Ocampo, Morelos, Nayarit, Oaxaca, Puebla, Querétaro, Tlaxcala, Veracruz de Ignacio de la Llave)

Weed Potential

Right plant wrong place. We are currently updating this section. Please note that a plant may be invasive in one area but may not in your area so it’s worth checking.

This plant can be weedy or invasive.

Conservation Status

IUCN Red List of Threatened Plants Status : This taxon has not yet been assessed.

Related Plants
Latin NameCommon NameHabitHeightHardinessGrowthSoilShadeMoistureEdibleMedicinalOther

Growth: S = slow M = medium F = fast. Soil: L = light (sandy) M = medium H = heavy (clay). pH: A = acid N = neutral B = basic (alkaline). Shade: F = full shade S = semi-shade N = no shade. Moisture: D = dry M = Moist We = wet Wa = water.

 

Expert comment

Author

Cav.

Botanical References

43200

Links / References

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Subject : Cosmos bipinnatus  
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