Cosmos Flower Meaning and Why Everyone Should Grow it
24.06.2024 - 23:55
/ balconygardenweb.com
/ Ralph Astley
The beauty of the brightly-hued daisy-like cosmos flower is undisputed, but is there something more to it? What sets this blossom apart in the far-reaching world of blooms? Read on to find out the meaning of the Cosmos flower and why everyone should grow it!
Known as the “autumn cherry blossom” in Japan, cosmos is a genus of flowering plants belonging to the Asteraceae family. This includes other iconic flowers such as daisies, sunflowers, dahlias, and asters.
Inspired by its perfect, even-placed petals, this sun-loving plant gets its name from the Greek word “kosmos,” which means world, order, and harmony. Native to Mexico and southern parts of the US, it can grow up to a majestic height of 6 feet.
Its heart-stealing blooms take center stage with saucer-shaped, perfectly aligned petals appearing in hues of white, pink, and crimson anytime from late spring to fall!
Celebrated as the cherry blossoms of fall (akizakura) in Japan, these flowers spread from the Americas to Europe during the Age of Discovery around the 16th century, when European explorers discovered and fell in love with the soft and silky cosmos flower.
These easy-growing self-seeders were so adept at adapting to different habitats that as trade routes expanded, they didn’t just stay in Europe. From the 19th century onwards, they found loving homes in Japan, Korea, China, and other nations of Southeast Asia, and today, they are found in gardens all over the world!
Now that you know where they came from and how they spread, let’s dive into how the cosmos has inspired humans to find ways to endear themselves to its flawless blooms.
Given the meaning of its name, when someone gifts you a bouquet of cosmos flowers, they’re saying, “You mean the world to me.” Its