Cosmos in Bembridge
Cosmos bipinnatus
A half-hardy annual grown for long-lasting, daisy-like flowers. In the UK it does best in a sunny, sheltered spot with free-draining soil, and it flowers freely from summer into autumn if you keep it deadheaded.
Growing Guide
Step-by-step instructions for growing Cosmos
Planting Calendar
Sow Seeds Indoors
16 Dec – 9 JanSow seeds in trays or modules from 16th December to 9th January, using of fine compost. Keep them at and just moist, not wet.
Prick Out Seedlings
11 Jan – 25 JanMove seedlings on when they are large enough to handle, from 11th January to 25th January. Pot them into small pots and keep them growing in a bright, frost-free place.
Harden Off Plants
16 Jan – 30 JanAcclimatise plants over 15 days before planting out, from 16th January to 30th January. Put them outside in the daytime at first, then leave them out for longer each day so they do not check in cold weather.
Plant Out
13 Feb – 2 MarPlant into free-draining soil from 13th February to 2nd March, spacing plants apart. Water in thoroughly straight after planting and protect young plants from slugs and late cold snaps if needed.
Deadhead & Maintenance
23 Mar – 29 NovRemove fading flowers regularly from 23rd March to 29th November. This stops the plant setting seed too early and keeps it producing flowers until the autumn frosts. Tie in taller stems if the plants get blown about, and water during dry spells.
Companion Plants
Tap a plant to see why it works (or doesn't) with Cosmos.
Good companions
Plants to avoid
Why companion planting matters
Companion planting can deter pests, improve pollination, and make better use of space. Some plants confuse pests or attract beneficial insects; others improve soil or offer shade to neighbours that need it.
Suggested Varieties
Popular varieties of Cosmos to consider
Sensation Mixed
Tall, open plants with large single flowers in mixed colours. A very common bedding and cutting strain in UK catalogues.
Purity
Tall white-flowered plants with good stems for cutting. Reliable in a sunny border.
Sea Shells Mixed
Distinctive tubular petals and strong colour range. Good for a lighter, airy planting effect.
Sonata White
A shorter, compact type suited to pots and front-of-border planting. Useful where space is limited.
Related Plants
Explore similar plants you might like
Basil
Basil is a fragrant, tender herb whose leaves are a staple of summer cooking. Native to tropical regions, basil is treated as an annual in temperate climates like the UK because it cannot tolerate frost. It thrives in warm, sunny conditions and can be grown in garden beds or pots for a steady supply of fresh, flavourful leaves throughout the summer.
Brussels Sprouts
Brussels sprouts are a hardy winter brassica (cabbage family) that form sturdy, leafy stems often around 60–90cm tall. They produce edible mini-cabbage buds along the stem from autumn through winter. Thanks to their cold tolerance, sprouts remain productive into late winter, and frost actually improves their sweetness.
Calabrese
Calabrese (broccoli) produces a large central head of tightly-packed green buds, followed by smaller side-shoots after the main head is cut. It’s a cool-season brassica crop. Grow it in full sun with fertile, well-drained soil and keep plants watered during dry spells. Harvest the heads while firm, then leave the stem in the ground to allow side-shoots to develop.
Also in nearby towns
See how Cosmos timing shifts in other towns with different frost dates.