Cosmos Atrosanguineus

Cosmos atrosanguineus, commonly known as the Chocolate Plant or Chocolate Cosmos, is a tender perennial grown as much for its velvety, dark maroon-red flowers as for their delicious scent of vanilla and hot chocolate. It is a popular and exotic choice for sunny borders and containers.

Key Characteristics

• Flowers: Produces sumptuous, velvety, deep crimson to bronze-red, daisy-like flowers, typically 4-7cm across. The open-faced flowers are highly attractive to bees and butterflies.
• Fragrance: Emits a distinct and delightful aroma reminiscent of dark chocolate and vanilla, especially pronounced on warm, sunny days.
• Height & Spread: Typically grows to a height of 40cm to 1 metre and spreads about 30-50cm.
• Foliage: Features attractive, lance-shaped, blue-green foliage.
• Usage: Ideal for planting in a hot, sunny garden, particularly near seating areas to enjoy the scent. It also makes an exotic cut flower.

Cultivation and Care

• Position: Thrives in a sunny, sheltered spot with full sun exposure.
• Soil: Prefers moderately fertile, moist, but well-drained soil. Avoid waterlogging.
• Planting: Tubers (similar to dahlia tubers) are best planted in spring (March to May) after the risk of frost has passed.
• Maintenance: Requires regular watering during the growing season. - Deadhead spent blooms to encourage continuous flowering. Pinching out young plants encourages bushier growth.
• Overwintering: This plant is half-hardy. In cooler UK locations (most areas), the tubers should be lifted in autumn, after the first frost, and stored in a cool, dry, and frost-free place for the winter. Alternatively, you can cover the plants with a thick layer of mulch in very mild areas.