Ornamental Flower
Apricotta Cosmos blooms in an arresting shade of apricot-rose that truly lives up to its name, offering gardeners a cheerful and unusual color rarely seen in cosmos varieties. These compact plants reach 36 to 42 inches tall and flower reliably from summer through fall, taking about 85 days from seed to first bloom. Winner of the prestigious Fleuroselect Novelty Award, Apricotta earns its accolades through generous flower production, sturdy stems perfect for cutting, and genuine appeal to pollinators. The blooms stretch just over 3 inches across and emerge on long stems ideal for arrangements. Best of all, this drought-tolerant annual thrives in full sun with minimal fussing, making it a genuine workhorse for gardeners seeking color without constant maintenance.
Full Sun
Low
2-11
42in H x 30in W
Annual
High
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The flowers themselves feel almost luminous, displaying that distinctive pink-lemonade apricot-rose hue that sets this cosmos apart from standard pink or white varieties. Plants produce an abundance of these large blooms throughout the season, with the sturdy stems that make them exceptional for cutting and arranging. Pollinators gravitate to these flowers, and the compact growth habit means you can tuck Apricotta into smaller spaces where other cosmos might sprawl. Recognition from the Fleuroselect Novelty Award underscores what gardeners discover quickly: this variety delivers both beauty and practicality.
Apricotta Cosmos excels as a cut flower, with catalogs specifically praising its sturdy stems and ability to hold up well in arrangements. Gardeners grow it for garden display throughout summer and fall, and the generous, long-stemmed blooms make it an excellent choice for fresh cutting in the morning when flowers are at their freshest and petals are just opening.
Start seeds indoors 4 to 6 weeks before your average last spring frost date. Sow seeds lightly covered in seedling containers, keeping them at approximately 60 to 75 degrees Fahrenheit. Seeds typically sprout within 3 to 10 days. Harden off seedlings before transplanting outdoors after all danger of frost has passed.
Transplant outdoors after your average last frost date, once soil temperature reaches at least 60 degrees Fahrenheit. Space plants 1 inch apart initially, allowing them to develop to their mature width of 30 inches. Pinching young transplants encourages branching and bushier growth.
Direct sow outdoors 1 to 2 weeks after your average last frost date, once soil temperature is at least 60 degrees Fahrenheit. Cover seeds lightly with soil. Seeds sprout within 3 to 10 days.
For cut flowers, harvest in the morning when blooms are freshest and petals are just opening but not yet fully flattened. Cut with a clean knife dipped in a 10% household bleach solution. Place cut stems in a vase with a few drops of bleach added to the water to prolong the flowers' beauty.
Pinching young plants encourages branching and fuller growth. Deadheading spent flowers throughout the season is required to maintain continuous blooms from summer through fall.
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