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Annual Biennial

Cosmos bipinnatus 'Xanthos'
  • RHS Plants for pollinators

cosmea 'Xanthos'

An upright, half-hardy annual to 60cm tall with finely-divided foliage, and from summer into autumn,daisy-like flowers held on branching stems with each lemon-yellow petal fading to white around the edge

Synonyms
Cosmos 'Xanthos Lemon Sherbet'
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Size
Ultimate height
0.5–1 metres
Time to ultimate height
1 year
Ultimate spread
0.5–1 metres
Growing conditions
Chalk
Clay
Loam
Sand
Moisture
Moist but well–drained
pH
Acid, Alkaline, Neutral
Colour & scent
StemFlowerFoliageFruit
Spring Green
Summer Yellow Green
Autumn Yellow Green
Winter
Position
  • Full sun
Aspect

East–facing or South–facing or West–facing

Exposure
Sheltered
Hardiness
H3
Botanical details
Family
Asteraceae
Native to the UK
No
Foliage
Deciduous
Habit
Columnar upright
Genus

Cosmos can be annuals or perennials with simple or pinnately divided leaves and large, long-stalked daisy-like flowers in summer

Name status

Accepted

How to grow

Cultivation

Grow in moist, but well-drained soil in full sun. Suited to annual or cut-flower borders or as a summer infill

Propagation

See sowing seeds indoors

Suggested planting locations and garden types
  • Cottage and informal garden
  • Patio and container plants
  • Cut flowers
  • Flower borders and beds
Pruning

Deadhead to prolong the flowering season

Pests

May be susceptible to aphids and slugs

Diseases

May be susceptible to grey moulds

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