9 cosmos for the flower border

Soft shades

Cosmos bipinnatus ‘Purity’

If you grow only one cosmos, it has to be ‘Purity’. Large crisp-white flowers with golden centres bloom above fine applegreen foliage from June into October. A superb cut flower. Grow in moist, welldrained soil in full sun. H: 4ft (1.2m).

Cosmos bipinnatus ‘Dazzler’

Carmine-pink flowers with golden stamens to add rich colour to borders. It is also superb in cut-flower arrangements, especially with limes and yellows, such as euphorbia or dill. Grow in moist, welldrained soil in full sun. H: 3ft (90cm).

Cosmos bipinnatus ‘Pied Piper Red’

This variety has unusual fluted petals that are magenta within and pale lavender on the outside. It is a good cut flower, with divided, feathery foliage, and blooms for months. Grow in moist, well-drained soil in full sun. H: 3ft (90cm).

Cosmos bipinnatus Sonata Pink

Generous soft-pink saucer flowers with yellow button centers above delicate, divided foliage. Being compact, it is ideal for filling gaps at the front of the border or for growing in pots. Plant in moist, welldrained soil in full sun. H: 1.5ft (45cm).

Cosmos sulphureus Bright Lights

A vibrant mix of fiery yellow, orange and red semi-double flowers that look like marigolds or geums. Easy to grow and floriferous, from June into October, in moist, well-drained soil in full sun. Can be cut for the vase. H: 3ft (90cm).

Cosmos bipinnatus ‘Rubenza’ AGM

This form fades in colour as it matures, so flowers can be a medley of wine, ruby and pink. Being compact, it may not need staking in the border, or can be grown in a pot. It needs moist, well-drained soil in full sun. H: 2.5ft (75cm).

Cosmos bipinnatus ‘Daydream’

Bees love this charming variety, which would look at home in an English cottage garden. The small shell-pink flowers have a circle of magenta-pink around the central golden boss. Likes moist, well-drained soil in full sun. H: 3ft (90cm).

Cosmos atrosanguineus

Chocolate cosmos is a Mexican native with maroon daisies in summer. People either smell chocolate or raw meat! Unlike most cosmos, which are annuals, it is a tuberous perennial and prefers moist, well-drained soil in full sun. H: 2ft (60cm).

Cosmos bipinnatus ‘Candy Stripe’

White daisies rimmed with pink in summer and into autumn. The width of the cerise edging varies, so sometimes it’s mainly a white flower, sometimes a pink flower. Likes moist, well-drained soil in full sun. H: 2.5ft (75cm).