Cosmos atrosanguineus Chocamocha (Chocolate Cosmos)

Highly sought after, Cosmos atrosanguineus Chocamocha (Chocolate Cosmos) is a tuberous perennial boasting delightfully chocolate-scented, velvety deep crimson-bronze flowers, up to 1.5 in. across (4 cm). Blooming from midsummer to fall, they are borne atop lance-shaped, blue-green leaves. 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 particularly outstanding when combined with ornamental grasses such as Agrostis nebulosa or Stipa tenuissima. It is also a wonderful plant to have in containers where its fragrance can be enjoyed.

• Grows up to 18 in. tall (45 cm) high and 12 in. wide (30 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
• The 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.