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Seed Packet

Cosmos 'Rubinato'

Cosmos bipinnatus

All the charm of the old-fashioned cottage garden cosmos, but more compact and floriferous, 'Rubinato' has softly pleated flowers with gold crested centers. Native to Mexico, it comes into its own as summer heat increases, growing quickly into a cloud of ferny green foliage and blooming at the height of summer to the first frost. We love its varied old rose to claret hues in bouquets, which enjoyably lessens the need to deadhead. A pollinator-friendly variety that attracts bees in particular, in later summer as nights cool, its wide-petaled flowers become the refuge of drowsy bumblebees.

SKU #S1318

$4.00

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Celosia 'Mega Punk' Organic

Tobacco - Langsdorff 'Bronze Queen'

Details

Approximate Seeds Per Packet

Lifecycle

Annual

Annual Hardiness

Half Hardy Annual

Mature Size

1.5-2' h x 1.5' w

Sun

Full sun

Soil

Regular, well-drained

Season

Summer to fall

Color

Red single flowers with gold centers

Features

Great Cut Flower

Heat or Drought Tolerant

Attracts Butterflies

Attracts Bees

Attracts Beneficial Insects

SOWING INSTRUCTIONS

Depth:

1/8-1/4"

Sprout Time:

3-10 days

Seed To Bloom:

8-12 weeks

Starting Indoors:

Start in pots 4-5 weeks before last spring frost. Keep at about 60-75°F.

Starting Outdoors:

Direct sow in spring, after last frost.

WHEN TO SET OUTSIDE

In springtime, after all danger of frost has passed.

PLACEMENT & CULTIVATION

Thank goodness we live in the age of the quick-blooming cosmos. Early 20th-century gardeners had to be content with a fleeting flower or two before the frost came to claim them all. Cosmos today are super floriferous midsummer to fall with reliable bloom in hot and dry weather. Pinch out stem tips when plants are 1' tall to help grow bushy, branching plants with loads of flowers. Start indoors in pots for earlier bloom and sow directly for flowering starting mid-summer. Deadhead regularly and stake early in windy areas, as the branches are quite brittle and can snap off at the central stem. Cosmos attracts numerous beneficial insects, making them a valuable addition to the borders of vegetable gardens too!

Final Spacing:

1-1.5'

Water Requirements:

Low Water Use

Watering Details:

Drought tolerant. Water regularly while establishing, then water only during dry, hot spells.

Soil pH:

Prefers acidic to neutral

Fertilizer:

Cosmos thrive in regular soil and may sprawl in nitrogen rich soils. If desired, an application of organic flower fertilizer can be mixed in around plants.

Diseases & Pests:

No major pests or diseases. Powdery mildew can be discouraged with a regular preventative application of a baking soda based spray.

When to Cut for Bouquets:

Harvest when flowers start to open to 1/2 open; best vase life before the flowers are pollinated.