Fothergill's Cosmos Seashells Red Seeds

Details:

• Botanical Name: Cosmos bipinnatus 'Seashells Red', a premium and structurally unique cultivar within the Cosmos genus.
• Plant Class: Half Hardy Annual, establishing with incredible speed from a spring sowing to yield a relentless, non-stop flush of flowers in its very first season.
• Unique Fluted Petals: Features large, eye-catching blossoms with individual petals that uniquely roll and fold inward, mimicking charming sea shells or delicate flutes.
• Rich Dynamic Palette: Showcases a deeply saturated ruby-red to deep carmine-pink exterior that contrasts beautifully with an intensely rich, deep pink interior hidden inside each tubular flute.
• Stately & Vigorous Growth: Displays a tall, upright, and airy growth habit, reaching a mature back-of-border height of 90–120cm (3–4ft) and a spread of 45cm (18in).
• Premium Cut Flower Variety: Highly prized by floral designers for its exceptional character; the long, straight, wiry stems and textured fluted flower heads add a sophisticated, contemporary twist to fresh summer bouquets.
• Pollinator Friendly: The bright open central cores stand out vividly against the fluted tubes, serving as an easily accessible and highly inviting natural fueling station for butterflies and bees.
• Optimal Position: Thrives at its absolute best when positioned in a bright, open spot in full sun, demonstrating excellent natural heat and drought resilience once fully established in poorer, well-drained soils.

Care Instructions:

• Sowing Position: Start seeds early indoors from March to April in cellular trays of moist, free-draining compost, or sow directly outdoors in May where they are to flower once all danger of spring frost has safely passed. Position in full sun.
• Planting Out & Spacing: For indoor-started seedlings, gradually acclimatise them to outdoor temperatures before transplanting. Space the young plants approximately 45cm apart to allow their tall, branching framework plenty of room to mature smoothly.
• Support & Maintenance: Due to their impressive 120cm height, plants grown in exposed or windy gardens will benefit from subtle support using canes or link stakes. Deadhead faded blooms regularly to continuously trigger the production of fresh, fluted buds right up until autumn.