This Fall-Bloomer Brings Vibrant Color And Butterflies To Your Garden

08.09.2024 - 19:43 / southernliving.com

Even if you aren't fortunate enough to live next to a meadow of wildflowers, you can still capture their untamed beauty in a container or garden this summer by planting cosmos. Cosmos come in various colors, from burgundy to pink to white. Mix them up for a more natural look, like a wildflower meadow. Bonus: this colorful flower, native to tropical America, attracts birds and butterflies with its cheery blooms. Because of their wildflower characteristics, cosmo flowers are considered invasive in some environments. Cosmos are prime not only for containers but for creating a mass of color in borders or backgrounds or as a filler among shrubs.

Establishing cosmos in your garden or containers is relatively easy because these flowers are drought-tolerant, not particular about soil conditions, and don't require much attention. Plant cosmos in an area with plenty of airflow to help prevent diseases from emerging, but since this plant is considered invasive in the southeast region of the United States, be mindful of the location.

Light

A true summer flower, the cosmos thrive in full sunlight—at least eight hours daily. Some cosmos varieties will grow in partial sunlight but tend to bloom less than those that receive proper sunlight. The native regions for cosmo flowers have hot summer conditions, so replicating this environment is best.

Soil

Cosmos are not particular about soil but overall prefer well-drained soils that lean more towards dry, sandy conditions. Cosmos will perform poorly in rich soils because the extra nutrients cause the plants to overdevelop and droop. If this occurs, adding stakes can help save some of the cosmos.

Water

Cosmos