Cosmos

Hi all.

We visited a great country fair today in the grounds of Cadhay House in Devon (Sorry, no pics. I forgot the camera as always ) The grounds were beautiful and included many stunning Cosmos plants in vivid pinks and reds.

When I got home, I did a bit of research and read that these plants need to be lifted from the ground over winter because they are not true perennials. I find it hard to believe that all those plants in Cadhay are lifted every year, I mean there are hundreds of them.

Is there another way therefore of over wintering them? Maybe a thick mulch or something?

Thank you

 

Thanks @ARMANDII

Yes, I have heard they are easy to grow form seed, I could give that a try. I don't have proper facilities but I have experimented with various cuttings this year which seem to be working so far. I think, as you suggest, I need to try different methods.

 

I'm sure I can manage that, much to the annoyance of Mrs Outlander who hates cluttered window sills.

 

Brill, thanks @ARMANDII

 

Cosmos are amongst the easiest of annuals. And a really good dooer .
I start mine early April in a pot, I sprinkle, not to close together, water gently and pop the pot into a sandwich bag. Tie the top and keep on a window ledge ( the bag keeps the cill clean ) as soon as they germinate open the bag and put somewhere light. Light is more important than heat
Only cover your seeds lightly, don't bury them. A lot might come up with the Seed still attached, I find wetting my thumb and finger and gently 'wetting ' them helps . Good luck

 

I have never tried lifting cosmos to overwinter.......what is the point? In the average gh, space is at a premium over winter and the number of cosmos plants many of us grow would make it impractical.

However, I have taken cuttings and overwintered them ......but sowing fresh seed every year is easy, cost effective and doesn't require over wintering . So sowing seed is my preferred choice.

Interesting idea loki....never tried that method. Always learning new things!

I like to grow a few cosmos in the garden even though annuals are not really my "thing". I could not do without a few groups of Purity. The odd coloured cosmos plant too grown as a specimen makes a fine feature.

The important things with cosmos seed are not to sow too early and not to over water I think.

 

Thanks all. Some good advice as always.

I will definitely try the seed method.

 

I love purity too @Verdun. I even late sowed some , mid June, for gap fillers, they are doing brilliantly
This year I tried, for the first time, fizzy rose picotee and bright lights (yellow). Really impressed with both, the rose picotee has the delicate foliage of purity and really pretty light to dark pink flowers ( should take a picture) The bright lights is much sturdier and has been full of flowers for months now A really good plant. I don't normally grow yellows/ oranges but if you like the colour I would recommend it

 

I have grown cosmos as very large plants.
By potting on regularly into 5 litre or 10 litre pots eventually planting out, stopping shoots and preventing flowering until mid summer cosmos will make superb September and autumn plants. They can be tied in against a warm wall, fence etc., to make plants 6' tall. Bit of fun but shows how adaptable and versatile plants can be.