Cosmea 'Velouette' Cosmos bipinnatus 'Velouette'
ABOUT
'Velouette' is an upright, half-hardy annual, to 90cm tall, with finely-divided green foliage. The large, yellow-centred flowerheads, borne from summer into autumn, are a mix of deep red and white; some predominantly crimson with clear white stripes and others white with a red edge to the petals
About this plant
NamesFamily
Asteraceae
Synonyms
Mexican Aster, Garden Cosmos, Cosmos Velouette
Common names
Cosmos bipinnatus 'Velouette'.
CharacteristicsLife cycle
Annuals
Foliage type
Deciduous
Color of leaves
Green
Flower color
Mixed
Height
2-3 feet (0.6-0.9 meters)
Spread
1-2 feet (0.3-0.6 meters)
Plant type
Herb
Hardiness zones
2-11
Native area
Mexico
Benefits
General Benefits- Aesthetic Appeal: Cosmos bipinnatus 'Velouette' has striking deep red flowers with white edges, which add beauty and vibrancy to gardens.
- Easy to Grow: The plant is known for being low-maintenance and easy to cultivate, even for beginner gardeners.
- Attracts Pollinators: It attracts beneficial insects such as bees and butterflies, which are essential for pollination in the garden.
- Long Blooming Season: Cosmos flowers typically have a long blooming period from mid-summer to fall, providing color for an extended time.
- Drought Tolerant: Once established, they are quite tolerant of drought, making them suitable for xeriscaping or gardens with low water availability.
- Edible Flowers: The petals of Cosmos bipinnatus 'Velouette are edible and can be used as a decorative addition to salads and desserts.
- Excellent Cut Flowers: With their long stems and vibrant colors, they make excellent cut flowers for bouquets and floral arrangements.
- Self-seeding: The plant can self-seed under favorable conditions, ensuring a continual presence without the need for replanting.
- Enhances Garden Biodiversity: Introducing diverse plant species like Cosmos bipinnatus 'Velouette' can improve the ecological health of a garden space.
- Quick Growth: Cosmos plants generally grow quickly from seed, reaching flowering size in a relatively short period of time.
Medical PropertiesThis plant is not used for medical purposes.
Air-purifying QualitiesThis plant is not specifically known for air purifying qualities.
Other Uses- Decorative pressed flowers: The Cosmos petals can be pressed and used in craft projects like creating bookmarks, cards, or adding a botanical touch to handmade paper.
- Natural dye: Petals of Cosmos flowers can be used to create natural dyes for fabrics or artworks, yielding hues of pink or orange depending on the mordant used.
- Edible garnish: The petals of Cosmos are edible and can be used to add a splash of color to salads or desserts, as long as they've been grown without pesticides.
- Fragrance sachets: Dried Cosmos flowers can be included in homemade sachets to impart a pleasant fragrance to drawers and closets.
- Photography subject: Due to their striking appearance, Cosmos flowers are often used as the subject in photography, perfect for practicing macro and nature photography.
- Floral arrangements: Cosmos flowers can be used in fresh or dried floral arrangements for events or simply to add natural beauty to a room.
- Teaching tool: With their easy-to-track growth and lifecycle, Cosmos flowers can be used in educational settings to teach students about plant biology and botany.
- Companion planting: Cosmos can be planted in vegetable gardens as they are believed to attract pollinators and potentially improve the yield of vegetable crops.
- Biodegradable confetti: Dried petals of the Cosmos can be used as a sustainable alternative to traditional confetti at weddings and celebrations.
- Creative writing inspiration: The beauty and variety of Cosmos flowers can serve as inspiration for poets and writers, often becoming a muse for their works.
Interesting Facts
Feng ShuiCosmos is not used in Feng Shui practice.
Zodiac Sign CompitabilityCosmos is not used in astrology practice.
Plant Symbolism- Harmony - The cosmos, derived from the Greek word 'kosmos' meaning order and harmony, symbolizes the balance in the natural world.
- Love and Affection - Often presented as a gift between lovers, the Cosmos bipinnatus 'Velouette' is used to express deep love and walking hand in hand on the path of life.
- Beauty - With its elegant appearance, the Cosmos bipinnatus 'Velouette' is seen as a symbol of inner and outer beauty.
- Peace - The plant is associated with serene energy and is commonly used to represent peace and tranquility.
- Modesty - Despite their striking appearance, Cosmos flowers can symbolize modesty due to their simple and unassuming form.
WaterGarden Cosmos should be watered regularly but with moderation, ideally providing 1 inch of water per week. When the top inch of soil feels dry, it's time to water. Deep, infrequent waterings are preferable to encourage strong root development. Overhead watering is beneficial in the morning to allow foliage to dry out during the day, reducing the risk of fungal diseases. Avoid overwatering, as this can lead to root rot.
LightGarden Cosmos thrives in full sun with at least 6 to 8 hours of direct sunlight daily. The ideal spot for planting is an area with unobstructed sunlight where the plant can receive ample light throughout the day. They do not perform well in shady areas and require bright light to flourish and produce abundant blooms.
TemperatureGarden Cosmos prefers warm temperatures and do well in a range between 70 to 85 degrees Fahrenheit. They can tolerate temperatures as low as 50 degrees Fahrenheit but may not thrive or flower properly below this range. Avoid exposing Cosmos to temperatures above 90 degrees Fahrenheit for prolonged periods as it may stress the plant and impede growth.
PruningPruning Garden Cosmos is typically done to shape the plant, encourage bushier growth, and stimulate more flowering. Deadhead spent flowers regularly to promote continuous blooming. Prune back Cosmos by one-third in midsummer if the plants become leggy. The best time to prune is late summer or as needed to maintain appearance and health.
CleaningAs needed
SoilCosmos, commonly known as Garden Cosmos, thrives best in a soil mix that is well-draining and loamy with a pH range of 6.0 to 8.5. A balanced mixture of garden soil, compost, and perlite or sand can provide the necessary drainage and nutrients. It's important not to use soil that is too rich, as this can lead to lanky plants with fewer flowers.
RepottingGarden Cosmos generally does not require frequent repotting as they are annuals; they complete their lifecycle in one growing season. Plant new seeds or plants each year instead of repotting.
Humidity & MistingGarden Cosmos are not particularly humidity-sensitive and can thrive in a wide range of humidity conditions typical of outdoor environments.
Suitable locationsIndoor
Place in bright, indirect light and ensure good air flow.
Outdoor
Plant in sunny spot with well-draining soil after frost.
Hardiness zone
2-11 USDA
Life cycleCosmos 'Velouette', commonly known as Garden Cosmos or Mexican Aster, begins its life cycle when seeds germinate in spring after the last frost, preferring warm, moist soil conditions. Seedlings emerge and develop true leaves, entering the vegetative stage where they grow rapidly, forming a bushy plant with finely cut foliage. As the plant matures, it enters the flowering stage during the summer to fall months, producing striking velvety flowers with a bi-color pattern of deep red with white edges. After pollination by insects, the flowers develop into seed heads, containing seeds that can be dispersed by wind or collected for propagation. As temperatures drop in late fall, Cosmos 'Velouette' completes its annual life cycle by dying, although in some climates, it may self-seed and grow again the next season.
PropogationPropogation time
Spring-Summer
Cosmos, specifically the Cosmos bipinnatus 'Velouette', can be propagated easily through seeds. The ideal time for sowing seeds is in late winter to early spring, after the threat of frost has passed. To propagate, prepare a well-draining soil mix in a flat, shallow container or directly into the garden where they are to flower. Sow the seeds thinly, covering them with a thin layer of soil, about 1/8 inch (roughly 3 millimeters) deep. Keep the soil moist but not waterlogged, and place the container in a warm area with plenty of sunlight. Germination typically occurs within 7 to 10 days. Once seedlings are large enough to handle, usually when they have a couple of sets of true leaves, they can be thinned out or transplanted to their final location, spacing them about 12 inches (approximately 30 centimeters) apart to allow for full growth.
