Chocolate Cosmos – one of our favorite seasonal plants. It blooms non-stop from June to frost with copious single deep red/black/mahogany flowers that have the special fragrance of dark chocolate. Forms colonies in well drained, rich soil with regular summer water. Cold hardy to the upper teens it will overwinter most years in very well drained soil- try a hot south facing slope. Otherwise, it forms a tuberous root and may be lifted and stored like a Dahlia in autumn. A great tender perennial for containers, borders. Fantastic cut flower. To 20″ tall in bloom forming a clump to 2′ wide. Mulch in autumn with dry leaves. Best in the hottest possible aspect but with regular water in rich soil. Easy to grow. Mexico.
Cosmos atrosanguineus
Family: Asteraceae Genus: Cosmos
Plant type: Herbaceous perennial
Biomes/Growing conditions: Hot Aspects, Oregon Coast
Sun exposure: Full Sun, Part Shade
USDA Hardiness zone: Zn8b 20º to 15ºF
Foliage color: Dark Green
Foliage season: Winter Deciduous