Cosmos bipinnatusFrom Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Scientific classification
Kingdom: Plantae
(unranked): Angiosperms
(unranked): Eudicots
(unranked): Asterids
Order: Asterales
Family: Asteraceae
Genus: Cosmos
Species: C. bipinnatus
Binomial name: Cosmos bipinnatus Cav.
Cosmos bipinnatus, commonly called the garden cosmos or Mexican aster, is a medium sized flowering herbaceous plant sometimes grown in gardens. It can be found in the wild in much of North America where it is a garden escapee, sometimes becoming weedy.
This species is considered a half-hardy annual, although plants may re-appear via self-sowing for several years. The plant height varies from two to four feet. The cultivated varieties appear in shades of pink and purple as well as white. Its foliage is finely-cut into threadlike segments.
Some of the varieties of Cosmos bipinnatus in cultivation today include:
- Sensation is a widely available mix of tall varieties
- Versailles and Sonata, developed for the cut flower trade, are shorter than the species, with heights remaining below three feet
- Daydream features a pink inner ring on a white background
- Seashells features quilled petals
Growth characteristics of this plant include:
- Germination takes between 7 and 10 days at the optimal temperature of 75 degrees Fahrenheit (24 °C); flowering begins between 60 and 90 days after germination
- It prefers a soil pH between 6.0 and 8.5, reflecting its native habitat in the alkaline regions of Central America
- Flowering is best in full sun, although partial shade is tolerated
- The plant is tolerant to drought after germination, and is seldom subject to insect or disease damage
The flowers of Cosmos attract birds and butterflies, including the Monarch butterfly.
Read more from Wikipedia:Cosmos pictures from Google Images:
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