Cosmos Cupcakes Blush

Cosmos Cupcakes Blush (Cosmos bipinnatus) is a charming cultivar known for its unique, pleated petals that resemble cupcake wrappers, giving the flower its name. With soft blush-pink blooms and feathery, fern-like foliage, it adds an airy elegance to borders and cutting gardens alike. The daisy-like flowers, typically reaching 5–8 centimetres across, are borne on long, slender stems, making them ideal for use as cut flowers. They offer excellent vase life and pair well with both formal and cottage-style floral arrangements.

In garden borders, Cosmos Cupcakes Blush brings height and movement, often growing between 80 to 110cm tall. Their long flowering season—usually from early summer to the first frost—makes them a favourite for continuous garden colour. These flowers attract pollinators such as bees and butterflies, adding ecological value to ornamental spaces.

Home gardeners will find Cosmos relatively easy to grow from seed. These drought-tolerant annuals are low-maintenance, making them suitable for beginner gardeners seeking effortless beauty.

Transplant is recommended. Start seeds indoors 5–7 weeks before the last frost date. Sow into preferred seedling container and harden off seedlings 5-7 weeks later, planting out after the danger of frost has passed. Seeds can also be sown directly into well-drained soil after the danger of frost has passed.

Cosmos prefers full sun and thrives in average to poor soil without excessive fertilisation, which can cause more foliage than blooms. Plant out seedlings with sufficient space to grow, or thin seedlings if direct sown. Pinching is recommended to encourage branching and deadhead regularly to prolong blooming.