Cosmos atrosanguineus Cherry Chocolate - Chocolate cosmos

Cosmos 'Cherry Chocolate' is a particularly elegant and decorative variety of chocolate cosmos thanks to its large fragrant flowers. Their flowers with velvety petals ranging from cherry-red to burgundy red emit a subtle chocolate fragrance in warm weather, offering a unique sensory experience in the garden. Compact and bushy, this cosmos with lanceolate blue-green foliage enhances borders, flower beds, and flowering pots for several months. It came second place in the RHS Chelsea Flower Show Plant of the Year competition in 2024.

Cosmos atrosanguineus is a plant native to Mexico, belonging to the Asteraceae family. Resembling more a dahlia than a classic cosmos, it grows from a fleshy tuber sensitive to frost. The 'Cherry Chocolate' variety is a recent creation that stands out for the size of its flowers (7 cm in diameter), the richness of its hues, and its distinctive fragrance. The plant quickly forms a compact clump of 60 cm in height by 40 cm in width from spring onwards. Its lanceolate, blue-green foliage remains low, while the sturdy floral stems rise to bear its fragrant flowers. Its flowering period extends from June to the first frosts, provided faded flowers are removed to encourage new blooms. This cosmos produces few, if any, viable seeds so it is mainly propagated by tuber division.

Cosmos 'Cherry Chocolate' is grown like a dahlia. Perennial, but susceptible to frost, it is best to dig up its tubers in autumn in regions with harsh winters. This plant thrives in light, humus-bearing, well-drained soils, and flourishes in full sun, although it also tolerates partial shade. Summer heat does not hinder its flowering, provided moderate and regular watering is maintained during dry spells. To extend the flowering period, it is advisable to remove faded flowers.

Cosmos 'Cherry Chocolate' pairs wonderfully with grey and silver foliage for elegant contrasts. In flower beds and pots, it stylishly accompanies wormwoods, silver ragwort, or rabbit's ears. Its deep red hue complements the pastel colours of annual poppies or the azure of the globe thistle. It also pairs very well with the acid green foliage of bipinnate cosmos or Alchemilla mollis, for subtle and refined colour combinations.