SEASONAL COLOUR

Cosmos

Cosmos bipinnatus

Light, airy flowers that make a small patch feel generous. Choose a variety whose final height fits your space.

Light

An open, sunny position

Water

Check containers in dry weather

Growth

A flowering annual

Follow the seed packet for sowing dates and protect young plants from frost. Give plants suitable spacing and gradually acclimatise indoor-raised seedlings before planting outside. Taller varieties can need support in exposed positions. Remove faded flowers to encourage the display to continue, or leave selected seedheads if you want to collect seed. Seed-grown plants may not reproduce every feature of a hybrid parent.