Orange Cosmos – A Beautiful Hardy Annual

Orange Cosmos are an awesome flower. Think of them as a hardy annual. Orange Cosmos can make a predictable bold statement in a garden.

We’ve all heard of hardy perennials – “tough” flowers that predictably come back, usually proliferating by root extension. On the other hand, Orange Cosmos are an annual which comes back from seed – but they too are tough and predictable. If you have some sun, you can’t hardly miss. They provide summer-long vibrant color that’s well worth a bit of care. And they are easy to carry on through the years.

Orange cosmos are suggested because they have a greener more pronounced foliage than other varieties of cosmos, along with the long-lasting high-contrast orange.

Orange Cosmos bloom non-stop starting about two months after planting. Plant them anytime after the ground thaws. They are hardy through wind and rain and have strong presence. Mass planting is highly recommended!

Planting Orange Cosmos

Simply sow the seeds into the soil in any sunny or partly sunny area – wherever you’d like lots of quick, long-lasting color. It’s like hand-sowing grass but not as thick. Like anything, they do best when the soil is weed-free and the soils is worked up a bit (but they are more tough than picky). Just liberally broadcast the seeds by hand in loose soil and lightly rake them in, giving them some moisture to get started.

As they get started, it’s best not to let them get totally dried out. You’ll soon see little green sprouts. As they proceed, it’s easy to take little scoops of them and move them around if needed or preferred. Sometimes, I have a concentrated area, almost an incubator; from there I can relocate or give them away.

For cosmos, you just need decent soil and water. So, soil without too much clay. And avoid letting seedlings get too dried out as they get established. If you like, apply a seasonal dose of something basic like Miracle Grow to strengthen them.

Plants quickly reach 3 to 4 feet tall and a foot or two wide at the top, with lacy foliage and abundant blooms. They thrive in the sun, drawing butterflies and compliments by the dozen.

So, Keep the Cosmos Going

In the fall, on the stalks where the flowers have been, you’ll see the seeds. They are easy (some say therapeutic), to harvest. You can gather them by hand and keep them in paper envelopes for the following years. Certainly, some will fall to the ground and come back the next year; but it’s best to supplement with seeds you pick and save.

After harvesting the seeds, it’s best to pull the bare stalks up by the roots and compost them; this leaves the bed better prepped for the next year. It’s not too difficult if you just grab a handful at a time. down near the ground. Shake the dirt off the root clumps, letting it fall back into the bed.

I have shared these “hardy annuals” with folks in Illinois, Indiana, Texas, New York, and here in Michigan. Seeds are always available to those who want to give them a go. A couple of my neighbors now have them. I keep a community bed of them and it’s great that some folks have gathered seeds from there; Orange Cosmos have sprung up around town.