Cosmos is a genus of plants in the Asteraceae family, native to tropical and subtropical regions of North and South America. Its rich, vibrant flowers have given rise to other names, including "cosmos" and "beauty." The scientific name comes from "kosmeo," meaning "adornment." The plant is available in a variety of cultivars, differing in shape, color, and bloom time. If you're looking for lush bouquets in your flowerbed as early as midsummer, the cosmos cultivar "Sensation" is a good choice.
Description of the Sensation variety
It is a voluminous shrub: 90-120 cm tall and up to 30 cm wide. The stem is upright and densely branched. This gives the bush a neat and decorative appearance, despite its large size. The foliage is lush and delicate, deeply dissected.
Blooming is abundant from July to September, continuing until October in warm climates. The petals are one or two or three shades in color and merge with a yellow center to form a neat head. The flowers are large, 7-10 cm in diameter, and borne singly on the branches. Suitable for cutting, they attract numerous bees and butterflies.
The plant looks harmonious next to phlox, verbena, Turkish carnation, chamomile and marigolds.
Colour variety of the Sensation variety
The variety is available in a variety of shades. The most common ones are listed in the table:
|
Variety |
Color feature |
| Mix of colors | The coloring is solid, with dark stripes. A mix of white, carmine, burgundy, and pink. |
| White | Dazzling white inflorescences. |
| Crimson | Juicy red with a raspberry hue. |
| Candy Strike | Crimson border and stripes on light petals. |
| Pink Sensation | Rich matte shades. |
Top.tomathouse.com explains: agronomic features
The plant is cold-resistant and moderately drought-tolerant. A suitable planting site is open, with plenty of sunlight and protection from drafts. Deep shade will negatively impact flowering.
Planting and caring for cosmos is straightforward. It's undemanding about soil type, but thrives in loose, nutritious soil. The key is avoiding excessive moisture stagnation. A neutral soil pH of 6.5-7.5 is recommended, with a slightly acidic pH of 5-6 being an alternative. Overly fertile soil can also be harmful, as it can result in dense foliage, but prevent the plant from blooming. Loosen the soil around young flowers and weed them.
Sow seeds in flowerbeds in April-May. Place 2-3 seeds in prepared holes and lightly press them into the soil, no more than 1 cm deep, without covering. Sunlight is essential for seedling emergence.
The optimal temperature for germination is 18–20°C, with seedlings appearing in 10–12 days. The distance between holes should be 30–40 cm.
If the temperature drops sharply, cover the seedlings with a light cloth. After a couple of true leaves appear, transplant them. From the several seedlings in the hole, select the strongest one, and replant or remove the others.
Growing seedlings is a reliable method in areas with cool springs. Seeds are sown in March-April. The depth of the soil should be the same as for planting in open ground. After emergence, the temperature for growth should be between 15 and 18°C. They are planted in their permanent location in May.
Cosmos is drought-resistant, but lack of moisture will reduce the number of flowers. Water regularly and thoroughly: once every 7 days, 1-2 buckets per plant.
To form a large number of buds, faded flowers are removed and the tops of the bushes are pinched.
Tall plants need to be tied to supports; this will help maintain the flowerbed's neat appearance and prevent the bushes from being damaged by rain and strong winds.
To form flowers and seeds, fertilizing is done in 3 stages:
- Growth phase. 1 tablespoon of universal fertilizer per 10 liters.
- Formation of buds.
- Bloom.
During the second and third stages, a complete fertilizer for flowering plants is suitable; apply the dosage according to the instructions. Alternate it with potassium sulfate, 15 g per 1 m².
If the soil isn't depleted, fertilizing once every 1.5-2 months is sufficient. If the soil is low in nutrients, fertilize every 3-4 weeks.
The cosmos variety "Sensation" is easy to care for and suitable for beginning gardeners. It will grace any garden bed with its large, vibrant blooms in shades of red, white, and pink. These plants look great planted in groups along a fence or wall, or as a backdrop for lower-growing plants.
