Fothergill's Cosmos Sweet Kisses

Details:

• Botanical Name: Cosmos bipinnatus 'Sweet Kisses', a premium and visually intricate selection within the Cosmos genus.
• Plant Class: Half Hardy Annual, establishing rapidly from a spring sowing to yield a relentless, non-stop flush of flowers in its very first season.
• Ruffled Picotee Blooms: Produces large, eye-catching semi-double and ruffled flowers featuring a delicate blend of crisp whites and soft pinks, beautifully framed by contrasting deep rose-pink picotee margins.
• Stately Tall Presence: Displays a tall, upright, and well-branched growth habit, reaching a mature back-of-border height of 120cm (48in) that brings soft, fluid movement to garden designs.
• Fine Feathery Foliage: Clothed in soft, deeply cut, fern-like bright green leaves that lend a light, airy texture and act as a beautiful neutral canvas for the romantic blossoms.
• Exquisite Cut Flower Variety: Highly prized for floral arrangements; the long, clean, straight stems and dense, textured bicolour flower heads hold their form beautifully in water, providing a striking focal point for fresh summer bouquets.
• Pollinator Haven: The highly accessible, nectar-rich central cores serve as an exceptional natural fueling station, keeping your garden buzzing with life by drawing in 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 free-draining soils.

Care Instructions:

• Sowing Position: Start seeds early indoors from March to April in 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.
• Soil Note: Plant out into ordinary, well-drained soil. Avoid overly rich or heavily manured ground, as high fertility will encourage excessive foliage production at the expense of the blossoms.
• 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 throughout the summer to continuously trigger a fresh succession of beautiful bicolour buds.