Cosmos: Growing the Summer Cut Flower

Cosmos (Cosmos bipinnatus), or garden cosmos, is a tall, airy Mexican annual with feathery foliage and large daisy-like flowers in pink, white or magenta, from summer to autumn. It wants full sun and even poor but well-drained soil: too-rich soil gives more leaves and fewer flowers. It is drought-tolerant, attracts pollinators and makes an excellent cut flower.