Cupcakes Cerise Pink Cosmos is a stunning dwarf cultivar of Cosmos bipinnatus that brings jewel-toned blooms to gardens across hardiness zones 2 through 11. Growing just 36 to 48 inches tall with a compact 24-inch spread, this variety reaches full bloom in 56 to 84 days from seed, rewarding impatient gardeners with flowers from early summer straight through frost. The cerise pink petals deliver rich color that deepens as temperatures cool, and the plant thrives on neglect once established, needing little water and virtually no fussing to perform beautifully.
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Full Sun
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2-11
48in H x 24in W
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Cerise pink petals on a cosmos small enough for containers yet tall enough to anchor a border, this cultivar blooms prolifically from June through November with almost zero intervention required. The flowers attract pollinators throughout the season while the plant shrugs off drought and poor soil with equal indifference. Starting from seed takes just 56 to 84 days to first bloom, and the plant germinates quickly indoors at warm temperatures, making it one of the fastest routes to abundant summer color.
Cupcakes Cerise Pink Cosmos thrives as a cut flower for fresh arrangements, where its airy stems and jewel-toned blooms add movement and color to bouquets. It excels in containers on patios and balconies, and works equally well as a massed planting in garden borders where its extended bloom window from June through November keeps color flowing. The flowers draw butterflies and other pollinators throughout the season, making it valuable for pollinator gardens and wildlife-friendly landscapes.
No timeline data available yet for this variety.
Sow seeds indoors 4 to 5 weeks before your last spring frost, keeping soil temperature between 60 and 75 degrees Fahrenheit for best germination. Plant seeds just 1/8 to 1/4 inch deep in seed-starting mix and expect sprouts in 3 to 10 days. Transplant seedlings outdoors after all danger of frost has passed and the soil has warmed.
Harden off seedlings by gradually exposing them to outdoor conditions over 7 to 10 days before planting out. Space plants 12 inches apart in full sun once soil temperatures are reliably warm and all frost danger has passed.
Direct sow seeds in spring after the last frost date, pressing seeds 1/8 to 1/4 inch into the soil. Thin seedlings to 12 inches apart once they reach a few inches tall.
For cut flowers, harvest cosmos blooms in the early morning after dew dries but before midday heat, when petals are most turgid and vase life is longest. Pinch off flowers just as they open to encourage branching and continued blooming throughout the season. Removing spent blooms regularly extends the flowering window through fall and prevents the plant from setting seed too early.
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