Cosmos bipinnatus Apricot Lemonade - Garden Cosmos seeds

Cosmos bipinnatus 'Apricot Lemonade' is a variety of annual Cosmos sought after for the unique colour of its single flowers: a pale apricot with a mauve pink halo near the centre and a pink reverse of the petals. They are borne on sturdy, upright stems on an erect, bushy clump of green, shiny, deeply cut leaves. It is medium-sized and blooms for a long time in borders and beds as well as pots, where its beautiful colour attracts attention. These cosmos are easy to sow and grow in light, sunny soil.

Cosmos bipinnatus is an annual species belonging to the Asteraceae family. It is native to Mexico and the extreme south of the United States. It is not very hardy, related to Dahlias and displays a characteristic flower head and particularly fine foliage reminiscent of fennel. 'Apricot Lemonade' forms an upright clump 60 cm (24in) tall by 45 cm (18in) wide. Flowering begins in July, approximately 85 days after sowing, and lasts until early autumn. The heads measure 8 to 10 cm (3 to 4in) in diameter and are composed of toothed-edged petals in pale apricot tones with a mauve pink base. The centre of the flower is made up of a golden disc. Cosmos flowers attract many butterflies. The foliage is finely cut into thread-like segments, barely 0.5 to 1 mm (0in) wide, slightly and pleasantly scented. After flowering, the plant produces blackish seeds in spindle-shaped, bristly fruits. The seeds can self-sow, but the resulting plants may not necessarily resemble their parent.

Like other cosmos, 'Apricot Lemonade' quickly fills large areas with its light and cheerful flowers. This annual plant is perfect in a wild, naturalistic, or romantic garden. It is rewarding and easy to grow with minimal effort, it blends well with other summer and autumn flowers such as Dahlias, Rudbeckia, lavender, chrysanthemums, and Verbena bonariensis. Its flowers have excellent vase life.