Cosmos Cotton Candy Mix is a formula mix that produces an abundance of colorful blooms from midsummer into fall, possibly to first frost in cooler climates. The plants range in height from 20 to 32 inches tall and exhibit a unique color blend of yellow and pink/lavender blooms. Borne singly on long willowy stems, the daisy-esque blooms make great cut flowers for sweet summer bouquets and mixed floral displays. Left in the garden, the nectar-rich blooms beckon to bees, butterflies, and hummingbirds.
Cosmos bipinnatus varieties, commonly called cosmos, these plants have an upright, clumping habit that's perfect for garden beds and borders. Cosmos self-seeds so this blend is also a great option for planting in naturalized areas. But it's a must-have for butterfly gardens and cutting gardens. Cosmos are great companion plants in an organic vegetable garden too, as they offer natural pest control.
The Cosmos Cotton Candy Mix is easy to grow and flowers heavily with little to no maintenance, grows best in a sunny spot with dry, well-draining soil. Cosmos tolerates a wide range of soil types; however, rich soils may encourage lush foliage at the expense of blooms.
Direct sow cosmos seeds into warm soil. Barely cover the seed with soil and thin when the first true leaves appear. Cosmos seeds can also be started indoors 6 to 8 weeks before the last spring frost date and transplanted when the danger of frost has passed, and the soil has warmed to 65 degrees. To avoid spindly plants, move transplants outdoors within a couple of weeks of germination.
