If you want to grow a cheerful and colorful flower that will bloom all the way through summer and to the first frost, cosmos are a great option to go with.

Cosmos are annuals that are easy to grow and will reward you with bright colors and consistent blooms. They pair well with many other annuals and perennials in the garden and can also be grown in containers.

Here’s more about how to grow and care for cosmos flower so that you can brighten up your garden with their pretty faces.

What is Cosmos Flower?

Cosmos are bright and attractive cottage garden flowers that bloom with daisy-like petals. The plants are native to Mexico, other parts of Central and South America, and southern regions of the U.S.

Most gardeners grow cosmos as annuals, although they can be perennials in USDA hardiness zones 9-10. There’s also a perennial variety of cosmos that grows from tubers much like dahlias.

The two main species of cosmos grown in the garden are Cosmos bipinnatus and Cosmos sulphureus. Both seed themselves freely, although C. sulphureus can become a little more weedy if not kept under control.

The many varieties of cosmos range in height from about 1 foot tall to almost 6 feet tall. Their typical spread is 1-2 feet, and flower blooms get 3-5 inches across.