Cosmos Cosmos bipinnatus 'Pied Piper Red'
ABOUT
The Cosmos bipinnatus 'Pied Piper Red', commonly known as the Mexican Aster, is adorned with eye-catching blooms that capture the essence of summer beauty. While the size dimensions of the plant are not the focus here, its visual features are distinct and vibrant. Each flower is a striking shade of deep red, a color that exudes a sense of warmth and richness. The red petals are velvety to the touch and radiate from the center in a harmonious, nearly symmetrical pattern. The center of the flower contrasts with its golden-yellow hue, offering a small burst of color that highlights the brilliance of the red petals. The leaves of the Mexican Aster are finely textured, providing a delicate backdrop to the bold flowers. These leaves are thin and feathery, spreading out in a filigreed pattern, resembling a fine lacework accompanying the blooms. Overall, the plant has an airy, open habit, which gives it a light, elegant presence wherever it grows. The striking blooms and the feathery foliage combine to create an aesthetic that is both vibrant and graceful, making it a favorite for gardeners seeking to add a touch of dramatic color and texture to their floral arrangements or garden beds.
About this plant
NamesSynonyms
Mexican Aster, Garden Cosmos, Cut-leaf Cosmos.
Common names
Cosmos bipinnatus.
ToxicityTo humans
Cosmos, including the variety 'Pied Piper Red', is not considered toxic to humans. Therefore, if ingested, it is not expected to cause any harmful symptoms of poisoning.
To pets
Cosmos, including the variety 'Pied Piper Red', is also not considered toxic to pets. This means that ingestion should not cause poisoning or result in any serious consequences in animals such as dogs, cats, or other household pets.
CharacteristicsLife cycle
Annuals
Foliage type
Deciduous
Color of leaves
Green
Flower color
Red
Height
2-4 feet (0.6-1.2 meters)
Spread
1-2 feet (0.3-0.6 meters)
Plant type
Herb
Hardiness zones
2-11
Native area
Mexico
Benefits
General Benefits- Attracts Pollinators: Cosmos 'Pied Piper Red' draws bees, butterflies, and other beneficial insects which help to pollinate your garden.
- Easy to Grow: Known for its low maintenance, the Cosmos plant is ideal for novice gardeners and those with limited time.
- Drought Tolerance: Once established, this variety can handle moderate dry spells, reducing the need for frequent watering.
- Long Blooming Period: The Cosmos plant has a long flowering season, often lasting from early summer until the first frost.
- Cosmetic Appeal: With its vibrant red flowers, it adds a pop of color to any garden or landscape design.
- Edging and Borders: Its height and shape make it perfect for creating edges or borders in a garden setting.
- Cut Flowers: The blooms make excellent cut flowers for vases and arrangements due to their lengthy vase life and appealing look.
- Self-Seeding: Cosmos plants can self-seed, ensuring a return of blooms in subsequent years with little effort.
- Fast Growing: They grow relatively quickly, providing rapid gratification in a garden setting.
- Wildlife Habitat: The plants can offer shelter and food for wildlife, supporting local ecosystems.
- Soil Adaptability: They are adaptable to a variety of soil conditions, though they prefer well-drained soil.
Medical PropertiesThis plant is not used for medical purposes.
Air-purifying QualitiesThis plant is not specifically known for air purifying qualities.
Other Uses- Cosmos bipinnatus 'Pied Piper Red', commonly known as Garden Cosmos, can be used as a natural dye source. The rich red flowers may be boiled to extract a red dye for textiles or crafts.
- Garden Cosmos's dried petals can be used in potpourri. Their vibrant color and pleasant scent can enhance the aesthetic and olfactory qualities of homemade potpourri blends.
- The sturdy stems of Garden Cosmos lend well to being incorporated into homemade paper, adding texture and color to the finished product.
- As an educational tool, Garden Cosmos can be used in children's gardens to teach basic principles of botany and ecology, as well as the importance of pollinators.
- Garden Cosmos can be used in natural pest control strategies, attracting beneficial insects such as lacewings and parasitic wasps that prey on pest species.
- The seeds of Garden Cosmos can be used in art projects. They can be glued onto surfaces to create natural, textured designs or patterns.
- Garden Cosmos flowers can be pressed and used in decorative crafts, such as bookmarks, greeting cards, or framed botanical art.
- The plant can serve as a living fence or temporary privacy screen in gardens due to its height and dense foliage.
- Garden Cosmos can be used in floral photography as a striking background or focal point due to its vibrant hue and large, showy flowers.
- During festive seasons, dried Garden Cosmos flowers can be used to create unique and eco-friendly Christmas tree ornaments or decorations.
Interesting Facts
Feng ShuiCosmos is not used in Feng Shui practice.
Zodiac Sign CompitabilityCosmos is not used in astrology practice.
Plant Symbolism- Love: The deep red color of 'Pied Piper Red' cosmos often symbolizes deep love and passion, reminiscent of the symbolic meaning of red roses.
- Beauty: Cosmo flowers in general represent beauty and harmony, as the name 'cosmos' is derived from the Greek word for 'beautiful'.
- Balance: The symmetrical form of these flowers suggests a sense of order and balance in the universe, resonating with the plant's name, which is associated with the cosmos.
- Modesty: Despite their bright color, cosmos are unassuming and simple in their appearance, symbolizing modesty.
- Peace: Cosmos flowers are often used to symbolize peace and tranquility, providing a sense of calm with their gentle swaying in the breeze.
- Wholeness: The round shape of the cosmos flower can represent wholeness and inclusivity, a reflection on the entirety of the cosmos.
- Freedom: The Cosmos bipinnatus, with its free-growing habit and tendency to self-seed, is sometimes associated with freedom and independence.
WaterCosmos, commonly known as garden cosmos or Mexican aster, requires a moderate amount of water. It's best watered once a week, providing about one inch of water each time, which can be around half a gallon for small plants or up to two gallons for larger, established plants in garden settings. The soil should be allowed to dry out slightly between waterings. Overwatering should be avoided, as cosmos prefers well-draining soil and doesn't like to sit in wet conditions. During hot spells or drought, you may need to water more frequently to keep the plants healthy.
LightGarden cosmos thrives in conditions where it can receive full sunlight for at least 6 to 8 hours a day. It's ideal to plant cosmos in a spot where they are exposed to direct sunlight throughout the day, which promotes healthy growth and optimal flowering. These plants can tolerate some partial shade, but too much shade can lead to leggy plants with fewer flowers.
TemperatureGarden cosmos grow best in temperatures ranging from 60 to 90 degrees Fahrenheit. They can tolerate a minimum temperature of around 40 degrees Fahrenheit, but frost can damage or kill the plants. The ideal temperature for these flowers is a warm climate without extreme heat, hence they often thrive in late spring to early fall conditions in most parts of the United States.
PruningPruning garden cosmos can encourage bushier growth and more blooms. Deadheading, or the removal of spent flowers, should be done regularly to promote continuous flowering. Cutting back the central leader can create a fuller plant with multiple flowering stems. The best time to prune cosmos is in the early summer or when the plants are about 12 to 18 inches tall to encourage branching.
CleaningAs needed
SoilThe best soil mix for Cosmos (Garden Cosmos or Mexican Aster) is well-draining and loamy with a neutral to slightly alkaline pH of 6.0 to 8.5. A mix of garden soil, peat, perlite, and compost works well to encourage healthy growth and flowering.
RepottingCosmos do not typically require repotting as they are annuals; they complete their life cycle in one season. If started indoors in containers, transplant them outdoors after the last frost.
Humidity & MistingCosmos are not particularly humidity-sensitive and can thrive in average outdoor humidity conditions. They are adaptable and do not require any special humidity adjustments.
Suitable locationsIndoor
Place in bright, indirect light and ensure good air circulation for indoor Cosmos growth.
Outdoor
Provide full sun and protect from strong winds for optimal outdoor growth.
Hardiness zone
2-11 USDA
Life cycleThe life of Cosmos bipinnatus 'Pied Piper Red', commonly known as the Garden Cosmos or Mexican Aster, begins with seed germination, typically occurring in early spring when temperatures are warm enough for growth. The seedlings emerge from the soil with two embryonic leaves (cotyledons), followed by the development of true leaves, which are finely-cut and feathery in appearance. As the plant matures, it develops a tall, erect stem and starts to form flower buds in early summer. Full bloom occurs in mid to late summer, showcasing the plant's vibrant red daisy-like flowers with yellow centers, attracting pollinators such as bees and butterflies. After pollination, the flowers produce seeds in the form of dry fruits (achenes) that fall to the ground or are dispersed, completing the reproductive cycle. The plant typically dies back with the first heavy frost, although it may self-seed and produce new plants the following spring.
PropogationPropogation time
Late Winter to Spring
The most popular and successful way to propagate Cosmos, specifically the Cosmos bipinnatus 'Pied Piper Red', is through seed sowing. Propagation is best done in the spring, after the last frost when the soil has warmed up to at least 60 degrees Fahrenheit (approximately 15.5 degrees Celsius). To start, prepare a well-draining soil mix and lightly press the seeds on the surface as Cosmos seeds need light to germinate. Keep the soil consistently moist but not waterlogged. Germination typically occurs within 7 to 10 days in optimal conditions. Once the seedlings have grown enough to handle and have at least a couple of true leaves, they can be thinned out or transplanted to their final positions, ensuring a spacing of 12 to 18 inches (about 30 to 45 centimeters) apart to allow for full growth and air circulation.
