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Cosmos 'Rubinato'
Cosmos 'Rubinato'
Seed Packet

Cosmos 'Rubinato'

Cosmos bipinnatus
All the charm of the old-fashioned cottage garden cosmos, but more compact and floriferous, 'Rubinato' has softly pleated flowers with gold crested centers. Native to Mexico, it comes into its own as summer heat increases, growing quickly into a cloud of ferny green foliage and blooming at the height of summer to the first frost. We love its varied old rose to claret hues in bouquets, which enjoyably lessens the need to deadhead. A pollinator-friendly variety that attracts bees in particular, in later summer as nights cool, its wide-petaled flowers become the refuge of drowsy bumblebees.
SKU #S1318
$4.00
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Details
Approximate Seeds Per Packet
32
Lifecycle
Annual
Annual Hardiness
Half Hardy Annual
Mature Size
1.5-2' h x 1.5' w
Sun
Full sun
Soil
Regular, well-drained
Season
Summer to fall
Color
Red single flowers with gold centers
Features
Great Cut Flower
Heat or Drought Tolerant
Attracts Butterflies
Attracts Bees
Attracts Beneficial Insects
SOWING INSTRUCTIONS
Depth:
1/8-1/4"
Sprout Time:
3-10 days
Seed To Bloom:
8-12 weeks
Starting Indoors:
Start in pots 4-5 weeks before last spring frost. Keep at about 60-75°F.
Starting Outdoors:
Direct sow in spring, after last frost.
WHEN TO SET OUTSIDE
In springtime, after all danger of frost has passed.
PLACEMENT & CULTIVATION
Thank goodness we live in the age of the quick-blooming cosmos. Early 20th-century gardeners had to be content with a fleeting flower or two before the frost came to claim them all. Cosmos today are super floriferous midsummer to fall with reliable bloom in hot and dry weather. Pinch out stem tips when plants are 1' tall to help grow bushy, branching plants with loads of flowers. Start indoors in pots for earlier bloom and sow directly for flowering starting mid-summer. Deadhead regularly and stake early in windy areas, as the branches are quite brittle and can snap off at the central stem. Cosmos attracts numerous beneficial insects, making them a valuable addition to the borders of vegetable gardens too!
Final Spacing:
1-1.5'
Water Requirements:
Low Water Use
Watering Details:
Drought tolerant. Water regularly while establishing, then water only during dry, hot spells.
Soil pH:
Prefers acidic to neutral
Fertilizer:
Cosmos thrive in regular soil and may sprawl in nitrogen rich soils. If desired, an application of organic flower fertilizer can be mixed in around plants.
Diseases & Pests:
No major pests or diseases. Powdery mildew can be discouraged with a regular preventative application of a baking soda based spray.
When to Cut for Bouquets:
Harvest when flowers start to open to 1/2 open; best vase life before the flowers are pollinated.