Cranberries Cosmos brings jewel-toned blooms to summer and fall gardens, thriving in the heat and drought where other flowers struggle. This cosmos cultivar grows 36 to 48 inches tall with a compact 24-inch spread, producing flowers from June through November in hardiness zones 9 to 11. From seed to first bloom takes 56 to 84 days, making it possible to enjoy weeks of color even in shorter growing seasons. It asks for full sun and low water once established, rewarding low-maintenance gardeners with continuous blooms that attract pollinators without fussing.
3
Full Sun
Low
9-11
48in H x 24in W
—
High
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Cranberries Cosmos delivers reliable, long-season color on drought-tolerant plants that thrive in hot, dry conditions. The blooms appear from mid-summer straight through frost in mild climates, providing a steady supply of cut flowers or garden color when many annuals have faded. Because it tolerates poor soil and resists major pest and disease problems, this is a genuinely easy cosmos for beginners and experienced gardeners alike.
Cranberries Cosmos excels as a cut flower for summer and fall arrangements, delivering long stems packed with blooms over months of harvest. In the garden, it shines as a pollinator magnet and a reliable filler in mixed borders, cottage gardens, and wildflower plantings where low water and minimal maintenance are priorities.
No timeline data available yet for this variety.
Start seeds indoors in pots 4 to 5 weeks before your last spring frost. Maintain soil temperatures around 60 to 75°F and expect sprouting in 3 to 10 days. Seedlings will be ready to transplant once they develop true leaves.
Harden off seedlings by gradually exposing them to outdoor conditions over 7 to 10 days. Transplant outdoors after your last spring frost date when soil has warmed. Space plants 3 inches apart to allow room for mature growth to 24 inches wide.
Direct sow seeds in spring after your last frost date. Scatter seeds on prepared soil and press lightly into contact, or sow at a depth of 1/8 to 1/4 inch. Thin seedlings to 3 inches apart once they are large enough to handle.
Harvest Cranberries Cosmos flowers by cutting stems in the early morning after dew has dried, when buds are just opening or fully open. Use sharp scissors or pruners and cut at least 6 inches of stem to maximize vase life. Regular cutting encourages the plant to produce more blooms, extending the flowering season from June through November.
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