Sunday, October 31, 2010

Cosmos: A Cottage Garden Classic


Cosmos have to be one of the best cottage garden flowers of all time! The classic daisy-like flowers, their light and ferny foliage, and the way the flowers gently sway in the breeze makes them a personal favorite in my garden.





We added some new flower beds last year, so I finally have the room...and the luxury....to plant an expanse of Cosmos, instead of single plants here and there. How refreshing it has been to gaze out the window, as I wash dishes....and drink in the color and beauty of these humble flowers.





These were all grown from my own saved seed from 2008. I grew many different kinds that year. The seeds were all mixed in an envelope I had labeled "Cosmos - Pretty ones"......and pretty they are indeed!





There are many interesting bi-colors....this one with streaks of white. These are second generation plants, pollinated by bees, so it is always exciting to see what sort of colors nature produces.






View from the other direction, with the woodshed in the background. The foliage is almost as pretty as the flowers.







I particularly like these.... with their dramatic dark centers.






A pair of Cosmos Twins.






One with delicate darker edges makes an attractive looking flower.





I have grown these Seashell Cosmos in the past, but have never seen one with a pink edge like this....they are usually solid pink or white. Lovely!






A pink Cosmos with a hot pink center really accentuates the yellow eye.






Cosmos are wonderful in bouquets! I put together this one for my dear daughter's birthday on October 14th. I added Verbena Bonariensis and Queen Anne's lace , along with several fronds of curved Honeysuckle vine to give it some softness and movement. This bouquet traveled in the car for 3 hours, and still looked great when we arrived at her house.





Frost crystals give the above Cosmos flower an extra dimension of beauty. Our first frost arrived on October 17th.






Though several nights of frost turned my zinnias instantly brown and ended the life of my squash and tomato plants, these Cosmos....though not quite as bright as their former selves, are still bravely blooming this afternoon, October 31st. Gotta love a flower like that!


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18 comments:

Bom said...

That's a pretty bouquet. The seashell cosmos is particularly interesting.

sweetbay said...

Your cosmos are beautiful! I've always been a big fan of the white and pink cosmos too.

Catherine said...

I love my Cosmos too, thanks to you! Your pictures are divine, Connie. And how about a Galeux D'Eyseine squash, perhaps? Are you coming up this way any time soon? My DH has built some wooden containers for my garden, and I LOVE them!!

Carrie said...

Oh! Oh! I love cosmos!!! Your pictures are lovely... thank you for sharing! It has brightened my day so much!! =)
Those seashell cosmos are very cool; where did you get them?
Well, hope you can enjoy your beautiful flowers for a little while longer =)

Northern Shade said...

The cosmos are very cheery looking flowers, such bright colours over lacy foliage, and extra special when you grew them from seed you saved. They are a classic look for a cottage garden. I smiled when I read about your seed label, "pretty ones".

boasxoxes said...

Lovely... (L)

O.I.M said...

yse, you certainly do have to love a flower like that. Still blooming this late in the season...hurray. I've posted some photos of the calendula you sent to me. They're still blooming on November 2nd with more buds ready to open.
irena

Victoria Williams said...

I agree, cosmos is one great flower. And so easy to grow.

Susan@Holly Grove said...

I LOVE cosmos - a great value plant when grown from seed and we're lucky enough here to have them selfseed liberally from year to year. They bring real joy!

em said...

hi connie, i have some little cosmos, but don't have the room for such a display! and wow, how beautiful! ok, i'll try some next year!

flower delivery in the philippines said...

Lovely Cosmos! so vivid and attractive. Wish I can also add that into my garden. I am sure my mom gonna love this too. Thanks for sharing.

-yumi-

Daylilies said...

Cosmos are pretty. I am a huge fan of pink. Do you have any daylilies?

Anonymous said...

OH! these are SOOO pretty! thanks for sharing. i love cosmos, and tend to keep a more "wild, cottage-y" garden. i didn't have them in my garden this year, but your pics have inspired me to get them for 2011!!

Unknown said...

The colors you have captured with your camera are fabulous.

BBC webhosting said...

Absolutely beautiful flowers and garden! It's a happy place!

scottweberpdx said...

You are so right, they are quitessential garden plants...so much so that I am embarassed to admit that I didn't plant any this year :-( It is only due to lack of space (like you) and something I hope to remedy next season, as I really miss them!

Corner Gardener Sue said...

I wish cosmos grew as well as yours do in my yard. I love them!

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