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Cosmos atrosanguineus (Chocolate Cosmos)

Chocolate Cosmos, Black Cosmos, Black Dahlia, Chocolate Plant, Bidens atrosanguinea, Cosmos atrosanguineus 'Chocolate'

Cosmos Atrosanguineus,Chocolate Cosmos, Black Cosmos, Black Dahlia, Chocolate Plant, Maroon Flowers, Chocolate Flowers, Dark Flowers

Highly sought after, Cosmos atrosanguineus (Chocolate Cosmos) is a tuberous perennial boasting chocolate-scented, velvety deep crimson flowers, up to 2 in. across (5 cm), from mid-summer to fall. Its pinnately divided leaves are often lobed at the base and are attached to the stems by winged petioles. Fairly pest-free and low maintenance, add this charming and graceful plant to the landscape, and you will be rewarded with scores of hummingbirds and butterflies. This profuse bloomer creates a striking visual impact in the garden and looks outstanding when combined with ornamental grasses such as Agrostis nebulosa or Stipa tenuissima. It is also a wonderful plant in containers where its fragrance can be enjoyed.

  • Grows up to 24-30 in. tall (60-75 cm) high and 18 in. wide (45 cm).
  • Performs best in full sun, in moderately fertile, medium moisture, well-drained soils. Dry soils are tolerated. This plant is fairly drought-tolerant. Mulch in fall.
  • Deer and rabbit resistant
  • An ideal addition to beds and borders, containers, cottage gardens, and cutting gardens.
  • Always remove the spent flowers promptly for continued blooms.
  • Propagate by taking basal cuttings in early spring and providing bottom heat.
  • If you have doubts about the plant’s survival over winter, you may dig the tuber, once the foliage has died back. Cut the stems back to within 2 inches (5 cm) of the tubers, and store them in slightly moist peat moss in a frost-free place.
  • Chocolate Cosmos is a rare perennial flower native to Mexico. Its deep maroon blooms, emitting a chocolate-like scent, are extinct in the wild, surviving only through cultivation. Rare flowers: beauty beyond ordinary gardens
  • Discover unique flowers for a stunning and unforgettable garden

Cosmos: Plant Care and Growing Guide


Here are some tips on how to plant and grow cosmos successfully

Requirements

Hardiness 7 - 10
Heat Zones 1 - 11
Climate Zones 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24
Plant Type Perennials
Plant Family Compositae
Genus Cosmos
Common names Cosmos, Black Dahlia, Chocolate Cosmos
Exposure Full Sun
Season of Interest Summer (Mid, Late), Fall
Height 2' - 3' (60cm - 90cm)
Spread 1' - 2' (30cm - 60cm)
Spacing 18" (50cm)
Maintenance Low
Water Needs Average
Soil Type Chalk, Loam, Sand
Soil pH Acid, Alkaline, Neutral
Soil Drainage Moist but Well-Drained, Well-Drained
Characteristics Cut Flowers, Fragrant, Showy
Tolerance Drought, Deer, Rabbit, Dry Soil
Attracts Butterflies, Hummingbirds
Garden Uses Beds And Borders, Patio And Containers
Garden Styles City and Courtyard, Cutting Garden, Informal and Cottage
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Alternative Plants to Consider

Cosmos bipinnatus ‘Candy Stripe’
Cosmos bipinnatus ‘Gloria’
Cosmos bipinnatus ‘Dazzler’
Cosmos bipinnatus ‘Daydream’
Cosmos bipinnatus ‘Sonata Carmine’
Cosmos bipinnatus ‘Apricotta’

Recommended Companion Plants

Rudbeckia fulgida var. sullivantii ‘Goldsturm’ (Black-Eyed Susan)
Antirrhinum majus (Snapdragon)
Lychnis coronaria (Rose Campion)
Lupinus ‘The Governor’ (Lupine)
Stipa tenuissima (Mexican Feather Grass)
Rudbeckia hirta ‘Prairie Sun’ (Black-Eyed Susan)
Dahlia ‘Honka’
Verbena bonariensis (Tall Verbena)
Rudbeckia hirta ‘Marmalade’ (Black-Eyed Susan)
Crocosmia (Montbretia)
Anthemis tinctoria (Golden Marguerite)
Agastache (Hyssop)
Agapanthus (African Lily)
Zinnia elegans (Zinnia)

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Companion Planting With Annuals
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Cosmos Flowers
Native Plant Alternatives to Cosmos bipinnatus (Garden Cosmos)
Plants with Pink Flowers to Add Romance to Your Garden
Cosmos: Plant Care and Growing Guide
While every effort has been made to describe these plants accurately, please keep in mind that height, bloom time, and color may differ in various climates. The description of these plants has been written based on numerous outside resources.
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Requirements

Hardiness 7 - 10
Heat Zones 1 - 11
Climate Zones 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24
Plant Type Perennials
Plant Family Compositae
Genus Cosmos
Common names Cosmos, Black Dahlia, Chocolate Cosmos
Exposure Full Sun
Season of Interest Summer (Mid, Late), Fall
Height 2' - 3' (60cm - 90cm)
Spread 1' - 2' (30cm - 60cm)
Spacing 18" (50cm)
Maintenance Low
Water Needs Average
Soil Type Chalk, Loam, Sand
Soil pH Acid, Alkaline, Neutral
Soil Drainage Moist but Well-Drained, Well-Drained
Characteristics Cut Flowers, Fragrant, Showy
Tolerance Drought, Deer, Rabbit, Dry Soil
Attracts Butterflies, Hummingbirds
Garden Uses Beds And Borders, Patio And Containers
Garden Styles City and Courtyard, Cutting Garden, Informal and Cottage
How Many Plants
Do I Need?
Explore Great Plant Combination Ideas
Cosmos
Guides with
Cosmos
Not sure which Cosmos to pick?
Compare Now

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