Ornamental Flower
Psyche White Cosmos is a graceful annual flower that brings clean, airy elegance to gardens from summer through the first frost. This cultivar of Cosmos bipinnatus grows to a substantial 36-48 inches tall, producing delicate white blooms on feathery foliage that practically glows in full sun. It blooms reliably from June through November across hardiness zones 2-11, reaching full flower production in just 56-84 days from seed. The real draw is its toughness: it thrives on neglect, handles drought with ease, and attracts pollinators throughout the season without demanding rich soil or constant attention.
12-18 inches apart
Full Sun
Low
2-11
48in H x 24in W
Annual
High
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Pure white, daisy-like flowers dance on tall, airy stems with finely textured foliage that creates a cloud-like presence in the garden. Psyche White proves that simplicity can be stunning; it flowers abundantly with minimal fussing, tolerates poor soil and dry spells with remarkable grace, and keeps blooming reliably from midsummer straight through fall. Self-sowing readily, this variety returns year after year, becoming a familiar friend in the garden rather than a temporary decoration.
Psyche White Cosmos serves as a cutting flower, producing long, elegant stems perfect for fresh arrangements that last well in a vase. In the garden, it functions as a tall, airy backdrop plant that softens hard edges, fills gaps between shrubs, or creates a delicate screen without blocking views. Its pollinator-attracting flowers also draw butterflies and bees, making it valuable in gardens designed to support beneficial insects.
Start seeds indoors in pots 4-5 weeks before your last spring frost, keeping soil at 60-75°F. Seedlings should emerge in 3-10 days. Transplant outdoors after frost danger has passed.
Harden off seedlings by gradually exposing them to outdoor conditions before transplanting. Move them into the garden after your last spring frost date has passed, spacing them 1 inch apart.
Direct sow seeds in spring after the last frost date. Plant at a soil temperature of 65-80°F for optimal germination.
Deadhead spent flowers regularly to encourage continuous blooming throughout the season. Pinching back the tips of young plants when they reach 6-8 inches tall promotes bushier growth and fuller flower production.
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