Cosmos Xsenia

Cosmos Xsenia (Cosmos bipinnatus) is a distinctive and elegant annual, known for its unusual flower colour. The blooms display a warm, mauve-pink tone with subtle iridescent overtones of bronze or orange, which shift depending on the light and temperature. This makes ‘Xsenia’ a unique addition to garden borders and floral arrangements, offering soft, romantic hues that complement a wide range of companion plants.

In borders, Cosmos Xsenia adds height and texture with its finely divided, feathery foliage and upright stems. It blends beautifully with other summer flowers and thrives in informal, cottage-style plantings. As a cut flower, it offers long, slender stems and attractive, long-lasting blooms, making it ideal for soft-toned bouquets.

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.