Cosmos sulphureus Crest Orange Seeds

Cosmos sulphureus 'Crest Orange' is superb selection, often found in seed mixes alongside other yellow or red cultivars. It forms semi-double, bright coppery orange blooms that appear all season long on compact plants. Ideal for borders and containers! Easy to grow and effortlessly romantic, Cosmos thrive in light soil in a sunny position.

Cosmos sulphureus, sometimes called Sulphur Cosmos or Orange Cosmos, is a tender annual plant native to Mexico and the northern regions of South America. It belongs to the Asteraceae family alongside Dahlias and daisies. Like its pink-flowering cousin C. bipinnatus, it features characteristic inflorescences known as capitulums. Its foliage on the other hand is coarser, with broader mid-green leaves. 'Crest Orange' quickly forms compact clumps, 60 cm tall and 30 cm wide. Flowering starts in July, 60 to 90 days after sowing, and lasts until October (or the first frosts). The semi-double flower heads measure about 6 cm across and are made up of slightly crimped bright orange petals arranged around a golden central disc. Cosmos are a magnet to foraging insects and butterflies, including the monarch butterfly. The mid green foliage 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, naïve plant produces strong, weather-resistant stems. It combines well with perennial sage, Verbena bonariensis, chrysanthemums or ornamentals grasses such as Stipa tenuifolia. 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.