Cosmos Cupcakes White Seeds - Cosmos bipinnatus

Cosmos 'Cupcakes White' is an original selection with fused, pure white petals that form graceful cup-shaped blooms, filled with a dainty collarette and golden yellow centre. Voted the RHS Garden Visitors’ Favourite in 2016. The abundant blooms appear all season long on semi-tall plants, ideal for cutting! Easy to grow and effortlessly romantic, Cosmos thrive in light soil in a sunny position.

Cosmos bipinnatus is a tender annual plant native to Mexico and the southernmost part of the United States. It belongs to the Asteraceae family alongside Dahlias and daisies, featuring the characteristic inflorescences known as capitulums and very fine, feathery foliage. 'Cupcakes White' is an award-winning variety bred by Thompson & Morgan. It quickly forms semi-tall clumps, 80-90 cm in height and 40 cm wide. Flowering starts in July and lasts until October (or the first frosts). The flower heads measure about 10-12 cm across and are made up of a layer of fused, pure white petals arranged around a dainty collarette and golden central disc. Cosmos are a magnet to foraging insects and butterflies, including the monarch butterfly. The finely cut, cloud-like foliage resembles fennel leaves and is delicately scented. Flowers are followed by blackish, spiky seed heads (achenes).

Cosmos is an easy-going, rewarding annual that can single handedly fill a sunny slope, border or flower bed. It is perfect to animate romantic or cottage style gardens. Easy to grow even by beginners, this adorable plant with its feathery green leaves and naive flowers bring light and airiness to heavier blooms such as Dahlias. It combines well with perennial sage, Verbena bonariensis and chrysanthemums until the first frosts. It is particularly useful in new gardens mixed with poppies, love-in-a-mist or cornflowers. Its pretty blooms have a long vase life and are ideal for cutting.