Noted for its unusual blooms, Cosmos bipinnatus 'Sea Shells Red' is a half-hardy annual boasting flowers, 3 in. across (7 cm), with fluted petals, carmine red inside, and lavender-pink on the outside. Blooming for months from midsummer to fall, the ravishing blossoms are borne atop tall stems and float above the fine, feathery foliage. Fairly pest-free and low maintenance, add this charming plant to the landscape, and you will be rewarded with abundant butterflies. Creating a graceful visual impact in the garden, this annual cosmos is perfect at the back of sunny borders.

• Grows up to 48-60 in. tall (120-150 cm) and 24 in. wide (60 cm).
• Performs best in full sun, in average, moist, well-drained soils.
• An ideal addition to beds and borders, containers, cottage gardens, and cutting gardens.
• Keep an eye out for aphids, slugs, and gray molds.
• Deadhead to prolong the flowering season.
• Propagate by seed sown at 61°F (16°C) in mid-spring under glass, or in situ in late spring.
• Cosmos bipinnatus species is native to Mexico.
• Find where this species is invasive in the United States.
• Discover beautiful U.S. native plant alternatives.