17 Types of Cosmos Flowers for Stunning Garden Displays
Cosmos are some of the most colorful and striking plants for any summer garden. These fantastic flowers come in several vibrant cultivars, allowing you to choose the most suitable variety for your garden. In this article, we’ll discover 17 popular types of cosmos flowers to grow in your garden.
17 Popular Types of Cosmos to Grow in Your Garden
1. Chocolate Cosmos (Cosmos atrosanguineus)
About:
Chocolate cosmos (Cosmos atrosanguineus) is one of the most recognizable types of cosmos. It’s been cultivated in Europe since 1885 but is originally native to Mexico. This species is a herbaceous perennial that grows up to 30 inches tall. Chocolate cosmos is unique because it grows from tubers rather than seeds and prefers USDA Zones 7 to 9.
Chocolate cosmos produces clusters of reddish-brown flowers with dark brown central florets. These rich, dark blooms also give off a faint vanilla scent. This gorgeous variety flowers from mid-summer until the first frosts arrive in the fall. These cosmos flowers need well-draining soil bases.
2. Garden Cosmos (Cosmos bipinnatus)
About:
Also known as Mexican aster, garden cosmos (Cosmos bipinnatus) is one of the most popular types of cosmos flower. It’s native to Mexico and other parts of Central America. They have also become naturalized in parts of the United States.
These stunning annuals form bushy clumps that grow up to 4 feet tall and can spread up to 3 feet wide. These plants produce pink, purple, red, yellow, or white flowers that bloom from early summer to fall.
Several cultivars are derived from garden cosmos, ranging from bi-colored varieties to ones with double or semi-double flowers. These cosmos flowers will benefit from fertilizing throughout the growing season.
3. Yellow Cosmos (Cosmos sulphureus)
About:
Yellow cosmos (Cosmos sulphureus) is one of the brightest and most vibrant species. This variety dazzles with its bright yellow, orange, or red flowers and has also produced several stunning cultivars. Also known as sulfur cosmos, yellow cosmos can grow up to 6 feet tall and spread for about 3 feet.
Yellow cosmos is endemic to Mexico and other parts of Central and South America. It’s often used as an annual in gardens and flowers from June to September. Each flower can be as large as 2 ½ inches.
4. Cosmos ‘Daydream’
About:
Cosmos ‘Daydream’ is an elegant bi-colored cultivar derived from Cosmos bipinnatum. ‘Daydream’ grows up to 3 feet tall and thrives in USDA Zones 2 to 11. This sun-loving variety is also an excellent annual to grow to attract bees, butterflies, and other pollinators.
Cosmos ‘Daydream’ produces lovely light pink flowers with bright yellow central disc florets. These central florets are surrounded by a ring of dark pink or magenta. ‘Daydream’ flowers from early summer until fall and has the quintessential feathery foliage.
5. Cosmos ‘Rosetta’
About:
Another cultivar derived from Cosmos bipinnatum is Cosmos ‘Rosetta’. This attractive variety has semi-double flowers with pink and white striped petals surrounding yellow central florets. Cosmos ‘Rosetta’ bloom from early summer until the first fall frosts.
These plants can grow between 2 and 3 feet tall and up to 2 feet wide. This cultivar stands up well to common cosmos diseases and pests. It’s also an excellent variety to grow in containers.
6. Cosmos ‘Sea Shells’
About:
Cosmos ‘Sea Shells’ is a wonderfully sophisticated variety based on Cosmos bipinnatum. It’s mostly known for its fluted pink petals, which surround yellow central florets. Cosmos ‘Sea Shells’ is also available in a mix of colors, including red and white.
These plants grow up to 3 feet tall and approximately 2 feet wide. This variety is grown as an annual in USDA Zones 2 to 11. ‘Sea Shells’ is another cultivar that’s excellent for pollinators such as butterflies.
7. Cosmos ‘Purity’
About:
Few Cosmos bipinnatum cultivars are as exquisite as Cosmos ‘Purity’. Its pure white flowers can be up to 3 inches wide, adding plenty of impact to borders or containers. They also have golden yellow central florets and grows up to 4 feet tall.
These plants flower prolifically from early summer until the frosts return in the fall. ‘Purity’ is an annual cultivar that produces beautiful cut flowers and is a vital nectar source for pollinators.
8. King’s Salad (Cosmos caudatus)
About:
King’s salad (Cosmos caudatus) is a type of cosmos known for its edible leaves. Its name comes from the Malaysian word “ulam raja”, which means “the king’s salad”. Cosmos caudatus is native to Central and South America but was spread throughout Southeast Asia by Spanish explorers.
These plants can grow over 6 feet tall and produce pink, purple, or white flowers. These flowers emerge from clusters on light green stems with a slight purple tone. The leaves of this cosmos are used in many Asian salads and are said to taste like mangos.
9. Cosmos ‘Sonata’ Series
About:
Members of the Cosmos ‘Sonata’ Series are compact varieties that are well-suited to growing in pots. They grow up to 24 inches tall and spread in clumps approximately 15 inches wide. Like many cultivars, the ‘Sonata’ Series is derived from Cosmos bipinnatum.
Cosmos ‘Sonata’ Series mixes are grown as annuals in USDA Zones 2 to 11. These small plants produce flowers up to 3 inches wide and come in pink, purple, red, and white. Each flower also has golden yellow central florets.
10. Cosmos ‘Klondyke’
About:
Cosmos ‘Klondyke’ is a variety derived from yellow cosmos flowers (Cosmos sulphureus). These annuals produce fiery orange or yellow semi-double flowers with yellow central florets and feathery green leaves. They grow in clumps measuring up to 35 inches tall and approximately 16 inches wide.
This vibrant variety flowers from summer until the fall frosts, usually from July until October. The saucer-shaped blooms are the ideal landing spot for pollinators such as bees, butterflies, and hoverflies.
11. Cosmos ‘Double Click’ Series
About:
Cosmos ‘Double Click’ is another cosmos series based on Cosmos bipinnatum. These grow up to 4 feet tall, making them ideal for the back of a border. They can be grown in USDA Zones 2 to 11 and form clumps that can spread up to 2 feet wide.
I love that they produce semi-double or double flowers that come in mixed shades of pink, red, or white. These gorgeous blooms emerge in early summer and continue until fall.
12. Cosmos ‘Picotee’
About:
Cosmos ‘Picotee’ is a beautiful variety derived from Cosmos bipinnatum. ‘Picotee’ produces large white flowers with dark pink on the edges of the petals. They also have bright yellow central florets and grow between 3 and 4 feet tall.
Cosmos ‘Picotee’ is a showy annual that flowers from early summer until the first frost hits in the fall. As an added bonus, this variety is a bit more resistant to common pests and diseases.
13. Cosmos ‘Sensation’ Series
About:
The ‘Sensation’ Series is a breathtaking cosmos series known for its bold, vibrant colors. These cultivars have been bred from Cosmos bipinnatum and come in pink, red, and white. This is another tall variety that can easily grow up to 4 feet tall and 2 feet wide.
Cosmos ‘Sensation’ Series varieties are in bloom from early summer until early fall. The flowers are single and are ideal for attracting beneficial pollinators to the garden.
14. Cosmos ‘Versailles’ Series
About:
The Cosmos ‘Versailles’ Series, also known as ‘Versailles Tetra’, yields dramatically colored flowers. The flowers are pink, with dark pink or reddish-pink rings surrounding yellow central florets. These cultivars come from the Cosmos bipinnatum lineage.
Cosmos ‘Versailles’ specimens grow up to 3 feet tall and grow as annuals in USDA Zones 2 to 11. They produce a prolific mass of flowers from early summer until the first fall frost.
15. Cosmos ‘Candy Stripe’
About:
Cosmos ‘Candy Stripe’ is a spectacular annual variety with beautiful bi-colored petals. Derived from Cosmos bipinnatum, clumps of ‘Candy Stripe’ can grow between 2.5 and 5 feet tall and spread for approximately 2 feet.
These plants wow with elegant white flowers with dark pink or pinkish-red edges on the petals. The central florets are bright yellow. ‘Candy Stripe’ flowers from early summer until the arrival of the first frosts in the fall.
16. Cosmos ‘Cupcakes Blush’
About:
Cosmos ‘Cupcakes Blush’ has delicate, unique flowers compared to many other varieties. Each semi-double flower head has fused petals, giving the appearance of a cupcake wrapper. These flowers are white when they first bloom but turn a rosy pink within a couple of days.
These flowers can grow up to 5 inches wide, creating a dramatic ornamental statement. This cultivar originates from Cosmos bipinnatum and blossoms from early summer until fall. Each specimen can reach up to 4 feet tall and spread approximately 2 feet wide.
17. Cosmos ‘Diablo’
About:
The fiery Cosmos ‘Diablo’ cultivar is a descendant of the yellow cosmos (Cosmos sulphureus), which originated in Mexico. This variety produces masses of orange, red, or yellow flowers from May until October. In my experience, they grow well in USDA Zones 3 to 8 as an annual.
They can grow between 4 and 5 feet tall and can spread for approximately 2 to 3 feet. The bright flowers are excellent for attracting pollinators such as bees and butterflies.
Popular Types of Cosmos Flowers – Wrapping Up
Choosing from one of the many gorgeous cosmos cultivars is a great way to bring color and impact to your garden. Most cultivars are derived from three species – Cosmos atrosanguineus, Cosmos bipinnatum, and Cosmos sulphureus. Some varieties come in a range of colors, including pink, purple, red, orange, and white, as well as bi-colored cultivars.
Edd is a budding content writer and gardener living in the United Kingdom. He has a bachelor's degree in Creative and Professional Writing and has written for several gardening publications online. He is passionate about nature and sustainability with a focus on gardening and wildlife.