Cosmos Cosmos bipinnatus 'Pied Piper'
ABOUT
The Cosmos bipinnatus 'Pied Piper' is a captivating variety of the common cosmos plant known for its distinctive and charming appearance. The petals exhibit a range of shades from deep pink to a lighter, almost magenta hue, which give the flowers a vibrant and eye-catching look. These petals fan out from the center in a radial pattern that is both symmetrical and feathery in nature, adding to the plant's delicate allure. At the heart of each flower, the central disc is often a slightly darker shade, providing a striking contrast to the softer tones of the petals. This core is frequented by pollinators, as it typically contains an abundance of pollen. The leaves of 'Pied Piper' are finely divided and thread-like, creating a lacy backdrop that further highlights the beauty of the flowers. They are typically a fresh green color, which perfectly complements the playful vivacity of the blooms. Overall, the 'Pied Piper' cosmos presents a dance of colors and a distinguished feathery foliage that adds a touch of whimsy to any garden. Its bloom creates a splash of color that can attract various butterflies and bees, bringing life and movement to its surroundings.
About this plant
NamesSynonyms
Mexican Aster, Garden Cosmos, Cosmos.
Common names
Cosmos bipinnatus.
CharacteristicsLife cycle
Annuals
Foliage type
Deciduous
Color of leaves
Green
Flower color
Pink
Height
3-4 feet (0.91-1.22 meters)
Spread
1-2 feet (0.30-0.61 meters)
Plant type
Herb
Hardiness zones
9
Native area
Mexico
Benefits
General Benefits- Attracts Pollinators: Cosmos bipinnatus 'Pied Piper' is known for attracting bees and butterflies, beneficial insects that are crucial for pollinating many different types of plants.
- Easy to Grow: It is considered a low-maintenance plant that is easy to cultivate, making it ideal for beginner gardeners or those with limited time.
- Long Blooming Season: This cosmos variety has a lengthy flowering period, often blooming from early summer until the first hard frost, providing extended beauty in the garden.
- Aesthetic Appeal: With its vibrant flowers and feathery foliage, it is often used to enhance the visual appeal of gardens and landscapes.
- Drought Tolerant: Once established, it is drought-resistant, requiring minimal watering, which makes it suitable for eco-friendly gardens and xeriscaping.
- Edible Flowers: The flowers are edible and can be used as a colorful garnish in salads, desserts, and other dishes.
- Cutting Garden Plant: Its stems are long and strong, making it an excellent choice for cutting gardens. The flowers have a vase life of about a week, making them perfect for fresh bouquets.
- Versatile Planting Options: It can thrive in a variety of soil types and can be planted in beds, borders, containers, or as part of a wildflower mix.
Medical PropertiesThis plant is not used for medical purposes.
Air-purifying QualitiesThis plant is not specifically known for air purifying qualities.
Other Uses- Art and Craft Supplies: Cosmos flowers can be pressed and used in craft projects such as making greeting cards, bookmarks, or in decoupage art.
- Natural Fabric Dyes: The petals of the Cosmos flower can be used to produce a natural dye for fabric, giving it a beautiful pink or orange hue.
- Companion Planting: Cosmos can be used in vegetable gardens to attract pollinators which help to increase the yield of crops like tomatoes and peppers.
- Photography Subject: Due to their vibrant colors and large, showy flowers, Cosmos are often used by photographers as a subject for botanical and nature photography.
- Educational Tool: Cosmos can be used in schools or educational programs to help teach students about plant biology, pollination, and the life cycle of flowers.
- Landscape Design: Cosmos flowers are used in landscape design to create attractive borders or as part of a wildflower meadow for aesthetic improvement of public and private spaces.
- Garden Activities: Cosmos flowers are sometimes used in garden activities for children, such as planting and tending a flower patch or learning about nature.
- Culinary Garnish: Although not commonly eaten, the petals of Cosmos flowers can be used to add a splash of color to salads and desserts as an edible garnish.
- Flower Shows: Cosmos are popular in flower shows and horticultural competitions due to their variety and ease of growing.
- Seed Harvesting: The seeds of Cosmos flowers can be harvested and used to trade with other gardeners or to grow new plants in the following season.
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: The delicate and vivid blooms of the Cosmos flower often symbolize deep love and affection, embodying romantic feelings and the joy of being with loved ones.
- Beauty: With its elegant form and stunning petals, the Cosmos represents the idea of inner and outer beauty, and the appreciation of aesthetic grace.
- Harmony: The name "Cosmos" is derived from the Greek word for harmony or ordered universe, suggesting a sense of balance and tranquility.
- Modesty: Despite its showy appearance, the Cosmos can also be seen as a symbol of modesty, due to its simple and unassuming form -- a contrast between its attractiveness and humble nature.
- Peace: The Cosmos plant is often associated with serenity and peace, making it a popular choice in gardens that are designed to create a calm and relaxing atmosphere.
- Freedom: The way Cosmos flowers move in the wind is reminiscent of freedom and ease, representing a carefree spirit and spontaneity.
WaterCosmos, commonly known as Mexican Aster, should be watered regularly but with care to avoid overwatering. They prefer evenly moist soil, so watering them once a week with about one to two gallons per square yard should suffice. During extremely hot or dry periods, frequency may need to increase to maintain soil moisture, while in cooler or rainy conditions, you may need to water less often. It's crucial to check the top inch of soil for dryness before watering to avoid waterlogging the roots. A deep, thorough watering encourages stronger root growth.
LightMexican Aster thrives best in full sun conditions, needing at least six to eight hours of direct sunlight daily. The ideal spot for these flowers would be an unobstructed, south-facing location where they can bask in the sun's rays without any shade for most of the day. Partial shade is tolerable but may lead to leggier growth and fewer blooms.
TemperatureMexican Aster enjoys warm temperatures and will grow best in an environment where daytime temperatures are between 70°F and 85°F. It can tolerate temperatures as low as 25°F but intense frosts can damage or kill the plant. The ideal temperature range for growing Mexican Aster would be to maintain an environment that doesn't fall below freezing and doesn't exceed 90°F for extended periods.
PruningMexican Aster should be pruned to encourage bushier growth and more blooms. Deadheading, or removing spent flowers, will stimulate new blooms. Prune back stems that have finished blooming by one-third to maintain plant shape and promote continuous flowering. The best time to prune is after the first flush of blooms starts to fade, usually mid-summer.
CleaningAs needed
SoilCosmos, or Garden Cosmos, thrives in a nutrient-rich, well-draining soil with a neutral to slightly acidic pH between 6.0 and 7.0. A mix of garden soil, compost, and a handful of perlite or sand can create an ideal environment for their growth.
RepottingGarden Cosmos doesn't typically require frequent repotting; it's often grown as an annual. If grown in containers, repot every spring to refresh the soil before new growth begins.
Humidity & MistingGarden Cosmos is not particularly humidity-sensitive but prefers average ambient humidity. It will thrive in outdoor conditions where humidity mimics the natural environment.
Suitable locationsIndoor
Place in a sunny spot with direct light.
Outdoor
Plant in full sun, moderate watering.
Hardiness zone
2-11 USDA
Life cycleCosmos bipinnatus 'Pied Piper', commonly known as the Cosmos or Mexican Aster, begins its life cycle when seeds are sown in well-drained soil, ideally after the last frost of the season. Seedlings emerge within 7 to 14 days, given adequate warmth and moisture. The young plants grow rapidly and start to develop their characteristic feather-like foliage. As they mature, they form tall, sturdy stems that eventually produce daisy-like flowers in a variety of colors, typically appearing in mid-summer and continuing until the first frost. After pollination, which is often facilitated by bees and butterflies, the flowers produce seeds that are encased in a unique seed head, allowing the plant to self-sow if the seeds fall to the ground. With the approach of cold weather, the plant completes its cycle, dying back after frost, but often leaving behind seeds that will create new plants in the following growing season.
PropogationPropogation time
Spring to early summer
Propogation: Cosmos bipinnatus 'Pied Piper', commonly known as the Garden Cosmos, is most commonly propagated by seed. The best time to propagate Garden Cosmos by seed is in the spring, after the last frost when the soil has warmed up. Sow the seeds directly into the garden where you want the plants to grow, as they do not transplant well. Make sure the seeds are lightly covered with soil, no more than 1/4 inch (about 6 millimeters) deep, because they need light to germinate. Maintain a moist soil until the seeds germinate, which typically takes 7 to 10 days. Once the seedlings grow a few inches tall and have developed true leaves, thin them out to about 12 to 18 inches (approximately 30 to 46 centimeters) apart to allow for ample growth.
