Geranium_gem's Garden
Cosmos 'Purity'
Genus: Cosmos.
Species: Cosmos bipinnatus.
Half-hardy annual.
Flowers June to Oct/Nov (14 weeks from Spring sowing).
Up to 1.2m high. Spread 40-60cm.
Prefers full sun and moist but well-drained soil.
Good for bees and butterflies.
Pinch out tips to encourage bushier plants. May need staking/it is advised to stake early in the season. Dead head regularly.
Sowing Instructions:
Indoors (Feb-April):
Sow seed 0.5cm deep in trays of watered compost. Cover with vermiculite or perlite and keep at 15-20 degrees C. Keep compost moist. Seeds should be shooting in 3 weeks. Transplant seedlings to 5cm apart when big enough to handle (hold by leaves). Grow on at 10-15 degrees C. Plant 30cm apart after risk of frost has passed.
Outdoors (April-May):
Fork, weed and rake a patch of soil in full sun. Scatter seed thinly over the prepared soil where you want the plants to flower. Cover the seed with 1.5cm of fine soil or compost. Thin seedlings to 30cm apart when they have true leaves so you can tell them apart from weeds. Water well during dry spells.
2013 - Mr Fothergill's seeds free with GW.
1st sowing 20 Feb
Best pinched out at 4.
