Cosmea 'Casanova Violet' Cosmos bipinnatus 'Casanova Violet' (Casanova Series)
ABOUT
'Casanova Violet' is a compact annual to 40cm, with bright green, finel- divided, feathery foliage on branching, upright stems. Dark, bluish-red, saucer-shaped flowers 8cm across, with a yellow button centre, are produced throughout the summer
About this plant
NamesFamily
Asteraceae
Synonyms
Mexican Aster, Garden Cosmos, Cosmos
Common names
Cosmos bipinnatus 'Casanova Violet'.
CharacteristicsLife cycle
Annuals
Foliage type
Deciduous
Color of leaves
Green
Flower color
Violet
Height
2-3 feet (60-90 cm)
Spread
1-2 feet (30-60 cm)
Plant type
Herb
Hardiness zones
2-11
Native area
Mexico
Benefits
General Benefits- Attracts Pollinators: Cosmos bipinnatus 'Casanova Violet' is known to attract bees, butterflies, and other beneficial insects, which are important for pollination in gardens.
- Easy to Grow: It is considered an easy-to-care-for plant that thrives in a variety of soil types and weather conditions, making it suitable for gardeners of all skill levels.
- Aesthetic Appeal: With its vibrant violet flowers, this plant adds a splash of color to gardens, borders, and flower beds, enhancing the visual appeal of the landscape.
- Long Blooming Period: The Casanova Violet has a lengthy flowering period that lasts from early summer until the first frost, providing long-lasting beauty.
- Cut Flower Use: The blossoms are suitable for cutting and can be used in floral arrangements, adding beauty both indoors and outdoors.
- Drought Tolerance: It has a degree of drought tolerance once established, which can be beneficial in areas with water-use restrictions or low rainfall.
- Low Maintenance: The plant typically requires minimal care, apart from occasional watering and the removal of spent flowers to encourage further blooming.
- Self-Seeding: Cosmos bipinnatus 'Casanova Violet' can self-seed under the right conditions, potentially providing new plants in the following growing season without additional planting.
- Beneficial for Wildlife: The flowers provide nectar for a variety of insects, contributing to the local ecosystem and supporting biodiversity.
- Edible Qualities: The petals of Cosmos flowers are edible and can be used to decorate salads and desserts, although it's always important to confirm which parts are safe to consume and whether any treatments have been applied that may make the plant inedible.
Medical PropertiesThis plant is not used for medical purposes.
Air-purifying QualitiesThis plant is not specifically known for air purifying qualities.
Other Uses- Creative Dye Source: Cosmos bipinnatus petals can be used to create natural dyes for fabrics and paper, offering shades of pink and lilac depending on the mordant used.
- Photography Prop: The striking violet blossoms serve as an attractive backdrop or subject for photographers, especially those interested in macro photography or botanical themes.
- Garden Companion Plant: When planted strategically, Cosmos can act as a companion plant by attracting beneficial insects like pollinators to the garden, which can help improve the health and yield of nearby plants.
- Craft Material: Dried Cosmos flowers can be used in crafts such as making potpourri, floral arrangements, or book pressing, adding natural beauty and fragrance.
- Edible Decoration: The vibrant Cosmos petals can be used to decorate cakes, salads, and desserts, although it is essential to ensure they are free of pesticides and other chemicals before consumption.
- Educational Tool: Cosmos plants can be used in educational settings to teach children about plant biology, life cycles, and gardening practices in a visually engaging way.
- Floating Candle Displays: The buoyant heads of Cosmos flowers can float on water, making them suitable for creating tranquil floating candle displays in bowls or ponds.
- Ink Production: The vibrant pigment from Cosmos petals can be extracted and mixed to create natural inks for drawing, calligraphy, or writing.
- Wedding Decor: Fresh or dried Cosmos flowers can offer a romantic, seasonal touch to wedding decorations, including table arrangements, bouquets, and boutonnieres.
- Seasonal Events: Incorporate Cosmos into festivals or events that celebrate seasons or specific themes, such as spring fairs or garden shows, to enhance the aesthetic appeal of the venue.
Interesting Facts
Feng ShuiThe Cosmos is not used in Feng Shui practice.
Zodiac Sign CompitabilityThe Cosmos is not used in astrology practice.
Plant Symbolism- Love and Affection: Named 'Casanova', this plant can be associated with romance and passionate love, symbolizing an alluring and irresistible charm, much like the renowned lover Giacomo Casanova.
- Harmony and Balance: The symmetrical form of the Cosmos flowers represents a sense of order and balance in the universe, making it a symbol of harmony in life.
- Beauty: With its graceful stems and beautiful violet flowers, Cosmos bipinnatus are often associated with an appreciation for beauty and aesthetics.
- Modesty: Despite its striking appearance, the Cosmos plant has a delicate and unassuming quality, often symbolizing modesty in cultural folklore.
- Peace and Tranquility: The Cosmos plant is known to sway gently in the breeze, with its flowers creating a calming effect, thus it often represents peace and serenity.
WaterWater your Mexican Aster, also known as Cosmos bipinnatus 'Casanova Violet', once the top inch of soil feels dry to the touch, which typically means watering once a week. The frequency may increase during hot, dry spells. When you water, do so early in the morning, and aim for the base of the plant to avoid wetting the foliage, which can lead to fungal diseases. Provide about one to two gallons of water per plant, ensuring it's enough to reach the deep roots but without causing waterlogging.
LightMexican Aster thrives best in full sun where it can receive at least 6 to 8 hours of direct sunlight daily. For the best growth and flowering, plant it in a location that receives unfiltered sunlight throughout the day. Avoid places that are heavily shaded, as too little light can result in weak stems and poor blooming.
TemperatureMexican Aster grows best in temperate conditions and can handle temperatures as low as 25°F before being at risk of frost damage. Ideally, keep it in a spot where the average temperature is between 70°F and 80°F for optimal growth. This plant can withstand high temperatures, but prolonged heat above 90°F may affect its blooming.
PruningMexican Aster benefits from regular pruning to encourage bushier growth and more blooms. Deadhead spent flowers regularly to promote continuous blooming throughout the season. Prune the plant back by one-third in midsummer if it's looking leggy or overgrown. The best time for extensive pruning is late winter or early spring before new growth starts.
CleaningAs needed
SoilThe Cosmos, also known as Garden Cosmos or Mexican Aster, thrives in a well-draining soil mix with a pH between 6.0 and 8.0. A good mix would be equal parts of garden soil, peat, and perlite or sand to ensure adequate drainage. Regular garden soil can be amended with compost to increase fertility. It is important to avoid heavy, clay-rich soils which can retain too much moisture and lead to root rot.
RepottingGarden Cosmos do not typically require frequent repotting as they are often grown as annuals. However, if grown as perennials in containers, they should be repotted every 2 to 3 years to replenish the soil and provide room for growth. The best time to repot is in the spring just before the new growth starts.
Humidity & MistingGarden Cosmos are not particularly sensitive to humidity levels and can thrive in the average humidity found outdoors. Indoors, they tolerate typical household humidity levels. There is no need to adjust the ambient humidity for these plants, as they are adaptable to a wide range. Focus on good air circulation to keep them healthy.
Suitable locationsIndoor
Place in bright, indirect light with well-draining soil.
Outdoor
Full sun, well-draining soil, spacing 12-18 inches apart.
Hardiness zone
2-11 USDA
Life cycleCosmos bipinnatus 'Casanova Violet', commonly known as Mexican Aster, begins its life cycle with seed germination, which occurs in warm, moist soil shortly after planting, typically in spring. Seedlings emerge with their first set of true leaves and quickly establish a root system. As the plant grows, it develops a bushy structure with finely divided, feathery leaves, and it eventually reaches its mature height, which can vary from 2 to 4 feet tall. Flowering typically occurs in the summer or early fall, when the plant produces its characteristic violet, daisy-like flowers with yellow centers on long stems. After pollination, seeds develop in the flower heads and mature as the petals wither away. Finally, the plant completes its life cycle when it releases its seeds into the surrounding environment, which may then start the cycle anew if conditions are right for germination.
PropogationPropogation time
Spring to Early Summer
Cosmos bipinnatus 'Casanova Violet', commonly known as Cosmos, is most popularly propagated through seeds. The ideal time to start sowing Cosmos seeds is in late winter to early spring, after the last frost has passed if you are sowing directly outdoors. For those who wish to get a head start, seeds can be sown indoors 4-6 weeks before the last expected frost. Simply press the seeds lightly into a moist seed starting mix, as they need light to germinate. Cover the seeds lightly with soil but do not bury them deeply. Keep the soil moist until germination, which typically occurs within 7-10 days. The seedlings can be transplanted into the garden when they are several inches tall and all danger of frost has passed, spacing them about 12 to 18 inches (30 to 45 cm) apart to allow for adequate air circulation and growth.
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