Cosmos Sensation Picotee Seeds

Cosmos Sensation Picotee Seeds (Cosmos Bipinnatus Sensation Picotee) or Mexican Asters
Annual, 20 seeds per package

What incredible grace and beauty these flowers bring to the flower border or garden. They are so easy to grow from Cosmos seeds, and they are a great flower seed to start with if you are a novice at gardening. This is a hybrid of wild Cosmos, and it features 3 inch pure white flowers with each petal edged with shades of rosy-red. The foliage is fern-like and lacy adding even more charm to this enchanting flower.

Originally, Cosmos came from wildflowers and are native to our own southwest and more commonly, Mexico. These annuals are also known as Mexican Asters. They do well in hot, desert type areas, but they easily adapt to many conditions and thrive. They will provide the best blooms with moderate amounts of water. Do not over fertilize the plants as this will decrease the amount of blooms. They will self-sow their own flower seeds for a new display next season.

Directly sow the flower seeds into prepared soil after danger of frost has passed. Scatter the Cosmos seed and lightly rake the soil over the seeds at a depth of 1/16 inch. Keep the area moist until germination.

Season: Annual
USDA Zones: 3 - 10
Height: 36 - 48 inches
Bloom Season: Summer and fall
Bloom Color: White
Environment: Full sun to partial shade
Soil Type: Well-drained, pH 6.1 - 7.4

Planting Directions
Temperature: 70 - 85F
Average Germ Time: 14 - 21 days
Light Required: Yes
Depth: 1/16 inch
Sowing Rate: 6 seeds per plant
Moisture: Keep seeds moist until germination
Plant Spacing: 12 - 18 inches

Once in the ground, cosmos will grow rapidly, so be sure to stake them early, while they are still young. Cosmos also benefit from a technique called pinching, as this will encourage the already highly productive plants to branch even more vigorously.

Here’s how it’s done: When plants are young, between 8 to 12 inches (20 to 30.5 cm) tall, take sharp pruners and snip the top 3 to 4 inches (7.5 to 10 cm) off the plant, just above a set of leaves. This signals the plant to send up multiple stems from below where the cut was made, resulting in more abundant flower production as well as longer stem length.